Alpana, whose paintings reflect her deep love for nature (right), will be on-site on October 19 at the WIT Conference and her creation will be auctioned off for charity at a by-invitation party, hosted by Circos Brand Karma on October 20.

Alpana is also the author and illustrator of the Sasha series of children’s books which are about the love of travelling as well the official artist for ACRES (animal concerns, research and education society).

My-Strok@WIT is a joint project between WIT and Issu.E.Rasers, a non-profit initiative which uses creative mediums to increase people’s sensitization and action in social and environmental concerns so that individuals become “issue erasers”.

Last year, My-Strok@WIT (left) raised more than S$2,000 which was invested in the Himmapaan Foundation of Thailand. The funds were used in the annual tree-planting exercise organized by Asian Oasis at the Lisu Lodge area in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand.

A total of 500 plants, representing 32 different species, were planted in one rai (approximately 2,000sqm) area. About 180 people from the local communities, including Lisu, Akha, Lahu, local Thai and students and tourists, took part in the tree-planting last July.  (below)

“In just one year,” said chairman of Asian Oasis, Chananya Phataraprasit, “the reforestation work has been shown to be hugely successful. We had a wonderful result with 90% survival rate in the first year.”

This year, the funds raised from the auction of the My-Strok@WIT art piece will go towards the Network Activities Group (NAG) of Myanmar.

NAG is a registered NGO in Myanmar, dedicated to fighting poverty and suffering in Myanmar. It places special focus on asset-poor people, especially women. Its mission is to provide the best available alternatives for both individuals and families in the neediest communities.

 Featured image credit (Hands tree): Ockra/iStock