Tapping individual talent, the goal at Daya Mina activity centre
A happy place: Teachers and students at Daya Mina. Pix by Athula Devapriya
As Sister Anastasia gives us a tour of the Daya Mina activity centre, she has a kind word for everyone. She pauses her explanation of the different facilities available from time to time to interact with the students and tells us about them. For instance, we learn about the preferences of the students – art, dancing, carpentry or any of the other activities offered at the centre. We learn what is special about each student and are offered insights into their lives.
The centre is organising their second walk and hope to see it take place with much support from society.
The Daya Mina activity centre began in 1989 in an annexe in Kollupitiya. The centre soon moved to a larger house in Polhengoda before moving to its current centre in Embuldeniya, Nugegoda. Today the centre has over 60 students and some of the female students are offered residential facilities as well. Students at the centre learn to make ‘glo light’ candles which are then sold at the gift shop. The candles are a big success and the centre makes a variety of candles in various shapes, sizes and colours for different occasions. The centre keeps the process of making these candles a closely guarded secret. Proceeds from the production of candles along with donations from parents (who can afford it) are used to fund the programme services. Sister Anastasia is hopeful that the upcoming walk will fund a new bus to transport the students for various activities.
Sister Anastasia
The students go to the centre from 8.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and take part in educational, social and vocational training. Students are assigned classes and take part in the different activities to improve their communication, domestic and personal skills in accordance with their abilities. The creativity of each student is discovered and highlighted through their preferences.It is the goal of the activity centre to help each student reach their true potential and be socially integrated into their family and community, while guiding them in their path to self-sufficiency. Students are always encouraged do things themselves and the centre aims for each student to have learnt a skill by the time they leave the centre.
Sister Anastasia feels that it is important for parents to identify if their child is intellectually impaired, consult a paediatrician and figure out the best course of action.
“We cannot do everything” she says, highlighting the fact that the earlier such issues are detected and addressed, the better it is for a child. Parents should strive for the independence of their child, while detecting any other issues their child has, such as sight or hearing problems. She states very firmly that looking after the needs of a child with special needs is a lifelong commitment which means that a parent or caregiver must constantly work on helping their child develop their skills. “When a child leaves our centre, it is the duty of the parents to ensure that the work done at the centre is continued at home,” she says, pausing to add that caring for a differently abled child is sometimes strenuous and rather difficult.
The children greet Sister Anastasia enthusiastically as they show her their needlework and various other projects. One student proudly exclaims that Sister Anastasia liked her handmade rug. “You can spend the whole day here without feeling the time pass,” says Sister Anastasia.
A ‘glo light’ candle made by the children
| Walk for a bus The Daya Mina activity centre invites people to join hands with them as they prove that the differently abled are able. The walk, to raise funds for a bus for the centre will commence on October 8 at 3 p.m. at Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya and will proceed to St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya. The walk will conclude with a raffle draw, music and dance as well as food and beverage stalls. The purchase of a raffle ticket priced Rs. 100 entitles you to join the walk while children below the age of 12 can take part free of charge. All donations for the centre including sponsors for the walk are welcome. Donations can be made to Daya Mina, Commercial Bank of Ceylon, Stanley Thilakaratne Mawatha, Nugegoda. The account number is 1175491201 (swift code CCEYLKLX). For further details, please call the activity centre on 011-2834633. Candles can be ordered through their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/dayaminacandles/. |
| Awarded prestigious decoration from Govt. of Japan
This award was in recognition of Mr. Kulatilake’s invaluable contribution to foster friendship and goodwill between the two countries and for his selfless endeavors to promote Japanese management systems and the transfer of Japanese technology to Sri Lanka. Mr. Kulatilake is one of the founders of Jasteca that during the past 32 years has helped over 3800 Sri Lankans to receive technical, managerial and entrepreneurship training in Japan and gain exposure to Japanese industrial and commercial practices. |
The prestigious decoration “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays” conferred by the Emperor and the Government of Japan, was awarded to Bertie G. Kulatilake, Vice Patron of the Japan Sri Lanka Technical and Cultural Association (Jasteca) by the Ambassador for Japan in Sri Lanka Kenichi Suganuma at a ceremony held recently at his official residence.