A heartwarming showcase of creative expression by the children of Peace Home, a shelter operated by the NGO LEEDO (Local Education and Economic Development Organisation), was held on Saturday morning at the Liberation War Museum, highlighting a powerful fusion of art and literature, imagination, and social engagement.

Organised jointly by the Liberation War Museum and LEEDO, the event featured artworks developed during a series of creative workshops led by young artist and curator Rupakalpa Chowdhury, drawing inspiration from Begum Rokeya's iconic feminist utopian story Sultana’s Dream.

The programme featured the screening of the award-winning documentary Where the Kids Have No Name by Dutch filmmaker Jamillah van der Hulst, which offers an unflinching portrayal of the lives of Dhaka’s street children.

The event began at 10:30 am at the museum’s lounge and main auditorium, opening with a moment of silence and a special condolence message from Peace Home’s children in remembrance of the victims of the recent Milestone School tragedy.

Tropa Majumdar moderated the event, which included remarks from LEEDO’s Executive Director Forhad Hossain, who emphasised the importance of nurturing creativity and self-expression among marginalised children. LEEDO Peace Home Manager Sohel Rana and member Jasmin Akhter presented an overview of its activities and creative initiatives through a PowerPoint presentation.

Curator Rupakalpa Chowdhury shared her experiences of conducting the multi-phase creative workshop inspired by Sultana’s Dream. Twenty children from Peace Home engaged in a journey of self-exploration through storytelling, reflection, and art-making across three mediums: paper collage (for self-portraits), wire sculpture (2D and 3D forms), and clay modelling (visualising their aspirations).

In a touching segment titled Sultana's Dream and My Own, Peace Home children presented their personal visions for a better future, expressing hopes rooted in education, equality, and empathy—core values championed by Begum Rokeya.

In his closing remarks, Mofidul Hoque, trustee of the Liberation War Museum, praised the project as a meaningful convergence of historical memory and future dreams, reaffirming the museum’s commitment to inclusive education and social empowerment.

The event concluded with the screening of Where the Kids Have No Name, offering a sobering yet hopeful glimpse into the resilience of street children, complementing the themes of the workshop and reinforcing the urgent need for broader societal support for vulnerable communities.

This initiative, as described by Rupakalpa Chowdhury in her curator’s note, aimed to create a safe and empowering space where children could be “seen, heard, and guided to become the best version of themselves”—a vision mirroring Rokeya’s own dream for a just and enlightened world.