Naomi’s colouring recital

When Naomi Martin was three years old, she declared, “Mommy, I’m going to have a colouring recital.” Her mother, Sarah Martin, asked her what a colouring recital was, and Naomi’s response was simple, “A colouring recital is where everyone can come and see how good I can colour.” Her mother dismissed the idea as cute, but over the next several months, Naomi and her five-year-old sister Abigail had it all figured out.

Here was their plan: The sisters asked their parents to rent a theatre to fit all the people who would come and colour with them. When Sarah mentioned that they can’t afford to rent a theatre, Naomi persisted, “If people would pay to come see me colour, then we could give the money to kids in Africa that don’t have parents, to help take care of them!” Initially, her parents didn’t take the idea seriously, but when Naomi suggested that the recital would be a way to help other children, they decided to do it. 

That is how “Naomi’s Colouring Recital” took root. Naomi is now 10 years old, and on March 29, at the Hamilton Association for Residential Recreational Redevelopment Programs in Hamilton, they held their sixth annual colouring event. The recital was a fun event, with tables are set up as an art centre. Children, their parents and grandparents joined together to colour, draw, make collages, sculpt, and do other arts and crafts.

The event raised $2,600 in support of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) projects that support children orphaned by AIDS in Africa. Clarke Fretz, MCC’s Niagara regional rep, attended the event and was impressed by the response of the community. “Naomi’s passion for colouring reminds us of the beauty in our world; the simplicity of enjoying beautiful colours, of celebrating our talents as gifts from God, and inviting others to come share in the wonder of being a child of God!” he said.

In the spirit of Naomi's colouring recital, donations can be made to MCC for families dealing with AIDS. 

—Updated Oct. 11, 2016