He Was Teased for His Skin Colour

After a painting session, a 7-year-old Indian boy began to open up about school and life in his new student care centre. He shared how things have changed: “I am happier at school now. Last time, I would scream at friends. I don’t do that now.“

Curious, I asked what had once made him so angry.
His reply: “Because they made me angry.” “They called me black.”

My heart sank. Behind his outbursts was a deeper pain — one tied to low self-worth and the hurt of being teased for his skin colour.

I gently challenged that belief by saying, “What? They laughed at your skin colour? That doesn’t make sense. It’s like if someone calls you black, you call them white — it doesn’t mean anything. Why give it the power to hurt you?”

I then affirmed his worth and identity.

To help him understand self-acceptance, I demonstrated by extending a pencil, then a tissue paper bag, asking him to take each item from my hand. I explained, “When you take something from someone, it means you are accepting the gift.” I told him, “Now, I want you to accept the beautiful gift you see in the mirror — your eyes, your long lashes, your eyebrows, nose, lips, ears, hair, and skin colour. All of these are gifts. Will you receive and accept them?”

We also talked about love. Love from his parents, grandparents, uncles, aunties, siblings, teachers, and God. And now, from Ms Elfin too. He smiled and nodded, visibly comforted and more assured.

It was a healing moment, one that planted a seed of self-worth and nurturing an acceptance of his identity. Helping each child embrace the gift of who they are.

A beautiful reminder of why we do what we do at stART Studio.

With warmth from my heart,
Elfin Ng
Founder, stART Studio
Crafting Confidence, One Brushstroke at a Time