"Stories in Clay" Workshop: Where Special Souls Speak Through Color

A ceramic art workshop series designed for autistic children and youth, organized by the Sowing Hope project under the Loving Touch Foundation in collaboration with Ame House center and artistic advisor Gom But, took place on April 18, 2026, in Luong Son, Hoa Binh province.

A Journey Ignited by Faith

From its very inception, the Loving Touch Foundation has been dedicated to building human connections through deeply meaningful experiential journeys for vulnerable children. Guided by this spirit, "Gom Ke" (Stories in Clay) was born—opening a magical doorway of art and color for young people with autism. This creative workshop was organized by the Sowing Hope project under the Loving Touch Foundation, alongside Ame House—a specialized care center for autistic children—and Gom But, a handmade ceramic brand from Bat Trang steeped in Vietnamese cultural identity.

Here, safety and deep understanding are placed above all else. Every moment transcends mere fleeting joy, becoming a profound touchpoint where these children feel truly heard, acknowledged, and free to express their unique selves.

When Ceramics Become a Language

At the "Gom Ke" workshop, pristine white ceramic pieces served as blank pages for the children to unleash their imagination. Free from rigid templates or standardized rules, there were only small hands... touching color.

The morning began in the Cham Sac (Touch of Color) space, where the children painted their very first layers onto the ceramic surfaces, patiently immersing themselves in the activity and striving to complete their artwork according to their own abilities. Under the gentle guidance of artists and craftsmen from Gom But, each child explored the medium at their own unique rhythm.

Some flowers looked like no flower ever seen before.

Some color patches seemed entirely random... yet overflowed with emotion.

This was their silent language—their way of telling a story and sharing their inner worlds.

The joy continued in the sensory tasting space, Cham Vi (Touch of Taste), where the children gathered to knead dough, shape, and decorate handmade cookies. With their small hands, they carefully crafted simple yet heartfelt treats, culminating in a warm tea party where everyone shared and enjoyed the fruits of their labor together. Sharing these sweet creations created an atmosphere of intimacy and genuine warmth.

A Single Day Concludes... A Lifelong Journey Begins

Though "Gom Ke" drew to a close in a single day, it set in motion a far longer journey. For autistic youth in particular and vulnerable children in general, this was much more than a conventional workshop—it was a safe haven where they were listened to in their own way, expressing themselves through the most natural and authentic means. Through this experience, they gradually learned to sit with their emotions, connect more deeply with the world around them, and nurture self-confidence from within.

This journey continues to be written, and the Loving Touch Foundation hopes to welcome even greater community support—ensuring that opportunities like "Gom Ke" spread far and wide, so that no small world is ever left behind.