Overcoming constraints- both real and perceived
“We want to make it clear that people should not come for our concert thinking that it’s charity,” states Azra Ambawatte Welandawe, “instead, they should come to enjoy themselves.” Azra, the Administrative Adviser of the Senehasa Foundation is speaking of the latest concert by the Centre –Apitath Puluwani (We can do it too) that will be held on August 28 at the Bishop’s College Auditorium.
Firm in her conviction that society needs to be more accepting and accommodating of children with special needs, Azra refers to a popular Sinhala saying Kelepipunu mal kelema parawennadenna hondanae (It’s not good to let flowers which bloom in the forest die in the forest itself). “All the parents ask us to help bring out the talents of these children,” she says. “Therefore, it’s fitting that we are bringing their talents to Colombo,” adds Treasurer Lushani Fernando.
Senehasa Children’s Resource Centre offers children with special needs in the Southern Province educational and social support along with therapy. Their goal is to help these children in overcoming any constraints they face – both real and perceived. As President and Vice President of the foundation, Dr. Pushpa Punchihewa and Dr. Disna Kodikara Arachchi have played a pivotal role in the activities of the resource centre along with a dedicated team of volunteers and well-wishers.The centre offers children after school classes in art, music and dancing. The concert is the culmination of the skills learnt by these students during classes. It is also an opportunity for the centre to dispel the stereotype that children with special needs are incapable of living productive lives. The children taking part range from1 ½ to 21 years of age.
During a concert, children with special needs are usually assisted by a volunteer while onstage. The organisers consider it an achievement that their students have overcome the need to be helped onstage. The students have practised their routines until they are able to confidently perform on stage. Their items will include drama, music and oriental dancing.
“They are so eager to get on stage that their only aim is to go out and perform. They want to take part in everything,” says Lushani. They make special mention of the commitment shown by the children and their parents – which begins with the dedication they show in travelling to the centre. “Some of these children need to take two or three buses to come to the centre and their parents have to bring them,” they say, adding that it is the commitment of the parents which allows their children to succeed. From the time the children reach the centre, their own commitment is apparent. “They never complain,” says Azra. “We can do a routine 30 times and they would not complain about it.”
Lushani adds that the younger children love watching the older students practise and are often so familiar with the items of the older children that they are even able to act as a substitute for an older child unable to perform. For Azra and Lushani, this is a clear indication of the capabilities their students possess.
‘Apitath Puluwani’ will be held at the Bishop’s College Auditorium on August 28 from 3.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Tickets priced at Rs. 2000, 1000 and 500 are available at the venue. For further information about the resource centre, please visit their website http://senehasagalle.org