KARACHI: The ‘Thesis Project Showcase’ of the graduating students of Karachi Down Syndrome Programme (KDSP) on Friday was an eye-opener as to what children born with the chromosomal disorder cannot do? Each item created by them exuded beauty and perfection.

Most of them were quite excited and spoke at length about the things they had on display and how they made them though some students were also “non-verbal”, as described by their teachers, and let their work speak for itself.

Rifah Rehmatullah had her beautiful wearable art in the shape of screen printed and block printed stoles and scarves on display. Saadia Muzammil had also used screen and block printing to design her cotton tote bags. Sara Javed who is into weaving and knitting, had on display pretty wallets, coasters and frames. She had also created some next-level fashion by giving some denim jackets her woven pockets.

Muneeb Irfan had stitched pouches, cushion covers, laptop and tablet covers. Zainab Manzoor had showcased her table art. She had pretty table mats and table runners which she had also decorated through block printing and screen printing methods. Fariha Hassan had cushion covers. Unzila Shah had several pieces of splatter painting on canvases, tote bags and cards.

Meanwhile, Hassan Mansoor was a creative genius. He had come up with the most beautiful colour combinations. Using a special technique of quilling by rolling thin colourful strips of paper and then sticking them together, he had made the most beautiful compositions of flowers and bunny rabbits, on cards and tags to attach on gifts along with framed designs. The framed creations were customised or made to order as they took him a lot of time to make.

Sadia Navaid, a teacher at the KDSP, said that working with children with Down Syndrome takes extra effort but it is all worthwhile. “We work on their fine motor skills to develop their focus and patience,” she told Dawn.

She said the students learn very well the things they are interested in.

About the graduating students, Mehek Wahid of the KDSP said that they will carry forward their niche of expertise through their Instagram accounts.

“They all intend to go into business right away, having completed the three-year programme with us while also doing internships in between. But we keep them in the loop even after they graduate. If later we come across any opportunities that may interest them, we connect them to the source,” she said.

A week earlier, the KDSP also hosted the ‘Education for Life’ year three culinary practical where the graduating students demonstrated their culinary skills with confidence.

Besides getting to see and appreciate everyone’s creations, it was also nice to find each graduating student’s business card also available with their work.

“The three-year programme is called ‘Education for Life’ as it equips individuals with Down Syndrome with practical vocational skills that foster independence, confidence, and pathways to sustainable employment. During the first two years of the course they are given all kinds of material to work with. It helps them, and us too, understand their niche. That done, we help them specialise in their area of interest,” Mehek concluded.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2026