Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Lessons in life
The gift of giving and sharing is often highly valued. When it involves the aged, the underprivileged and the differently-abled it is still more poignant. Esther Williams talks to a group of students who are discovering the joy of giving
When Eunkyung, Swati, Sachintha, Priya, Mudara and Vindhya from Grade 11 of the Overseas School of Colombo (OSC) went to Kalutara, it was for an orientation session, a requirement of their International Baccalaureate diploma programme. The visit however seems to have led to an inward reflection, helping them realise that giving is more rewarding that receiving.

Part of the orientation included a visit to the Marc-Sri home for the aged and the mentally and physically challenged. The 29 Grade 11 students from various nationalities did not know what to expect when they were taken there. They were certainly touched by the warmth with which the elderly residents greeted them.

During the course of time spent there the students played bingo with them. One lady volunteered to sing too. Among the various incidents that they recall, one that particularly stood out in their memory was that of a handicapped child.

The realisation that their visit meant a lot to the residents was something they wondered at. Talking about the way they danced with children who were mentally and physically

challenged, Vindhya Buthpitiya admits, “Doing things that make them happy makes me feel fulfilled as a person.” “We often tend to take things for granted not remembering that there are people who are less privileged,” Mudara Perera remarks pensively. However, Priya Bhaskaran is quick to add, “We believe that if we try hard enough we can make a difference in society and make someone happy.”

Eunkyung Leewho has been in OSC for several years has been involved in the ongoing projects. “The students were visiting them after a whole year and the warmth with which we were greeted made us realise that we do make an impact.”

Talking to the students it is clear that such experiences have inspired them to do something in the future. “We are compelled to do something more for them,” Sachintha says, “not just as a course requirement but on a personal level.”

“It has made us sensitive to the world around us. I’m from India where there are so many poor people and most of us don’t do anything – not actively anyway,” Swathi endorses.

Eunkyung and Sachintha have been previously involved in community service projects of the school. Lee recalls that she once went with a group to visit a similar institution for children. “They were scared when they saw us but when we played the guitar and sang, they came out and started dancing.” Sachintha has more memories. He and his friends once went to the cancer hospital equipped with a cricket ball and bat. “The nurse would not let this boy suffering from Leukaemia play so we let the boy sit on his bed with the ball and bat and I could tell that it made his day.”

Co-ordinator of the IB Programme, Overseas School of Colombo, Colin Brown discussed the programme: The IB diploma programme (currently used in 1500 schools in 38 countries around the world) requires students to opt for six academic subjects plus undertake 150 hours of CAS (Creativity, Action and Service).

He is of the strong opinion that the CAS programme has provided a wide range of opportunities for students to enrich their learning experience through direct involvement with the community around them. “Coming from privileged backgrounds, having everything they want, they are learning that giving makes them the happiest in the end.”

Mr. Brown further explained that although deprived and oppressed people exist in all societies, students do not meet them under normal circumstances. While in school they forget that there is another world outside. The community service projects thus remind them that they should be giving as well as taking. Moreover, “It makes them appreciate how fortunate they are.”

“The element of community service was introduced to enable students to be well balanced, caring and aware of the world around them,” asserts Community Service coordinator, Karu Gamage. “We believe that real education comes from interacting with the community. We want them to respond to the realities around them and share with the less privileged.” Consequently, students of all age groups in the school have been involved in the ongoing Friday afternoon projects that have to do with visiting children in prisons, children in cancer hospitals and other disabled children.

OSC volunteers on a weekly basis to visit the Rehabilitation Centre for the Communication Impaired (RCCI) at Nugegoda and work with the patients to overcome their difficulties. Students of Grade 6-12 had some time ago volunteered to clean the wall around a building complex of a pre-school in Pelawatte, opposite the OSC. This semester the students hope to decorate the wall with murals. In addition, groups of students have had bake sales and collected money to donate to worthy causes. In addition, special weekends are organised for outbound activities to support rural schools, hospitals and respond to emergency relief operations.

Mr. Gamage recounts that recently 16 children died at the cancer hospital – two from cancer and 14 from other complications. “This is due to the lack of a High Dependency Unit (HDU),” he says. The school had been instrumental in raising funds for the education centre at the cancer hospital and is now in the process of raising funds for the HDU.

Regular evaluations are made. “We let students talk about their experiences and what they would like to do further.” If they can improve the situation even marginally, it is encouraging.

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