DHAHRAN, 16 February 2005 — It was a gift of love for the victims of tsunami. On Monday, 120 students of the Dhahran Academy put out their best work for sale to raise funds for those made homeless by the recent disaster.

The students were excited that they could make a difference in rehabilitating the devastated victims. Mehreen Maqsood, a 17-year-old 11th-grader who was last year’s artist of the year, already had sold half of her works when the evening was still young.

Mehreen, an honors student with a perfect GPA, felt good that she had a talent, which could benefit the less fortunate.

Dora Nakhoul, a 12th-grader, had several paintings both in oil and pastel. She was saddened by the death and devastation caused by the tsunami and was happy to offer her creativity for the fund-raiser.

A senior, Ayesha Mahmoud, had also sold most of her paintings.

Principal Lyle Porter said it was a “wow evening.” He was overwhelmed by the display of talent his students showed. It was amazing to see “so much art in such a short time.”

Carolina Melara of the US Consulate inaugurated the function and thanked the students for showing care and devotion for the victims of the tsunami.

In addition to the funds raised, some of the students wanted to travel to the devastated area and help rebuild.

“We were planning on taking students to Sri Lanka to build houses in the seven tsunami-affected areas, but the parents were very uncomfortable with that,” said Bernie Reeves, who coordinates the academy’s participation in Habitat for Humanity — a global, non-profit organization that builds houses for the poor.

“So from this art auction and other donations that we’ve received, we plan to build houses for the poor in non-tsunami affected areas, and to give surplus funds to the victims of the tsunami.”

Abeera Atique, exhibit organizer and art teacher, said she was very proud of her students who always donate their talent and hard work for any charitable activities on short notice. “Some did more than others, but every student helped.”

Among the students helping with the exhibition were Anam Baig, Ayesha Mehmood, Tamar Zadi Sian, Kinda Chaar and Nicole Covrer, as well as Habitat for Humanity volunteers Saddaf Shabbir, Febria Aya Abdin and Melody Wang.