Sharing the spirit of Christmas in Kolonnawa
We are reminded of the Christmas message of humility and hope as we walk into St. Joseph’s College, Kolonnawa, one bright morning.
Re-enacting the Nativity scene: Mary, Joseph and two angels. Pix by Amila Gamage
The entire school consisting of some 430 students is gathered around a makeshift stage that has amazingly been spared from bad weather overnight next to a quaint manger. The excitement in the air is infectious.
An adorable little girl greets us with a sheaf of betel leaves and we are then whisked away to a table loaded with food and a cup of inescapably sweet tea is pressed into our hands.
Already, this Christmas celebration has a distinct Sri Lankan flavour to it.
“Christians are actually the third party here,” English teacher Geethanjalie Perera tells us. “A majority of our students are Muslim and Buddhist, but everyone is involved in this concert and the students are very keen on it.”
Local religious leaders Rev. Malcolm Candappa, Ven. Pottewala Vineetha Nayaka Thera and the Moulavi of the Kolannawa mosque(although unable to attend) had also been invited as guests of honour.
Dancing is for girls and below (right) Santa arrives and is greeted with wide smiles
With students ranging from Grade 1 to 11 and only one class per grade, the school’s community is small but close knit. While the Christmas concert is an annual event, this is the first time in a long time that the whole school was involved in putting together its various dances, songs and plays. Even the teachers got up on stage to sing some carols.
“The teachers and older akkis choreographed the dances and we all practised together,” says Kavisha Nethumini of Grade 7, while her friends Ushani Senalika and Ujani Sevumini agree that preparing for this concert really livened up their last few weeks of the school year.
When pestering the teachers for more practices failed, the students took rehearsals into their own hands, substituting the music in the dances with their voices.
“Practising together was the best part because we were always joking and having fun,” says Year 10 student Fatimah Sakeema. “Christmas this time was super! It made us want to do something new and even better next year.”
We notice it is the girls dominating onstage and ask the boys about it. But the Year 11 boys don’t mind the girls getting all the attention and proudly say they designed and built the stage and manger.
A younger boy chimes, “boys don’t dance and we wouldn’t even if they asked us to!” but adds that he wouldn’t mind being in one of the plays next year.
The boys are more interested in telling us about their cricket plans for the holidays than the speech being given on stage. They say that although they don’t celebrate Christmas, they’ve seen the lights and decorations around town.
“We don’t put up a tree at home, but they’ve decorated the Food City across the street,” says Naflan Naleem of Year 9. They’ve all heard of Santa Claus and when asked what they want from Santa this year one of the boys replies, “He usually brings toffees.”
“Our children are really very innocent,” says assistant principal, Mrs. Lanka Amarasinghe. “Most of them come from impoverished homes and are starved for love.
Enjoying the celebrations: Naflan Naleem
They can be very receptive when spoken to kindly. Sometimes as I’m walking to school, there are students that come running when they see me and walk alongside while clinging to my saree pota.”
School is often the only place they can feel free and secure as children. “We have some really intelligent ones, but there are also others who have little interest in learning. This isn’t through any fault of theirs.
Many of them come from families with a lot of parent disputes, sometimes violence, or their parents may have left and they live with grandparents or extended family.”
Frequent absence from school and lack of proper nutrition is another prevalent issue. “Some, including students in upper classes, struggle with simple reading and writing,” says Religion teacher Manori Tharaka.
“They are lethargic and have trouble concentrating in class, but even when we repeatedly ask parents to send a healthy meal of rice and sambol at least, they send the child to school with a bun.”
She believes educating parents is vital to improving these children’s lives and hopes to use some of the remaining funds from the concert towards implementing an effective programme for parents.
Their teachers have hope for their young charges despite their difficult circumstances. “Although Kolonnawa has a bad reputation, I think we have some very clever and talented children,” says the school’s principal, Mrs. E. A. Hanjanie.
Concerts such as this allow students to shine in areas of creativity and performance and discover talents they may not have realised they possessed.
Principal E.A. Hanjanie
With funds raised through generous donations, the school was able to raise enough to give every child a small gift and additional aid to the most underprivileged among them.
However, while the festivities continue elsewhere, this will probably be the highlight of the season for many of these children. It is also likely that despite all the effort, the spirit of their concert is short-lived and quickly replaced by the struggles of regular life.
But if it is enough to inspire warmth, hope and a sense of community, perhaps it has captured the essence of Christmas quite succinctly after all.
To make a donation or for more information contact the project coordinator on 0773602246.