Thatta Kedona

Culture is a Basic Need

Senta Siller Art Center {WAC}
Saturday, December 3, 2016

Women Art Center at the village Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka, district Okara in Punjab has been renamed as Senta Siller Art Center (SSAC) to honour the German lady Dr. Senta Siller, who had initiated this center back in 1993. This decision was agreed made and announced at a meeting in the Center, which was attended by a number of village girls and women, who have worked with Dr. Senta Siller, the honourable Mother of Dolls over the decades.

Mr. Amjad Ali, the newly elected president of the local NGO “Anjuman-e-Falah-e-Aama” told the enthralled gathering that by renaming the center the people of the village are honouring Dr. Siller’s hard work and commitment with the village over a quarter of a century.

Dr. Siller activated the village women and resumed the tradition of making dolls. This was the beginning of a successful attempt to generate income for women living in rural areas. Initially the hand-crafted dolls and dozens of other handicrafts were offered and sold in the local market at different bazaars. Later these products were also sent abroad. She also initiated a number of health, awareness and education projects in the village.

Although Dr. Senta Maria Anna Siller celebrated her 81st birthday this November, she is still active in assisting the project “Thatta Kedona” and selling its handicrafts at different bazaars in Germany. An artist and designer by profession, she was born in Vienna and now lives in Berlin, Germany.

She has been awarded Bundesverdienstkreuz (highest civil order of merit of the Federal Republic of Germany) and many other honours from different countries. All friends of Thatta Kedona project are wishing and hoping that Pakistan’s President will soon be announcing the Pride of Performance Award for Dr. Senta Siller’s exemplary and untiring efforts for the cause.

Given age, she is not able to fly frequently and visit the Project that she had once initiated but the people of Thatta Ghulamka Dhiroka will always remember her fondly and pray for her health and happiness.