Combining two passions, motherhood and music for ‘Symphony for a Child’
Living in London as a banker’s wife, concert pianist and music teacher, Sirima Jayasekera with four children of her own found the call of her ‘motherhood’ to reach the children of the wide world. The call bloomed a decade ago when she saw children in the Cancer Hospital’s children ward in Sri Lanka.
She combined two of her passions, motherhood and music to launch ‘Symphony for a Child’ to make the funds available to create the facilities needed to uplift children in need.
The first concert ‘Symphony for a Child’, held at Regent Hall in central London in 1999 raised four thousand sterling pounds. Since then she has collected 4,000-6,000 pounds every year in London. She now has a ward at IDH Angoda Sri Lanka, with a playground and hopes to add a library to it. She has also extended her efforts to children of North and East of Sri Lanka whom she considers victims of war and as the ‘hope’ for the nation’s peace.
This year with her presence in Sri Lanka, ‘Symphony for a Child’ will be staged in Colombo at the Lionel Wendt Theatre with piano, flute, violin, cello, vocal duet, choir, Kandyan drums, jazz piano and rhythm and blues on the programme.
Sirima as she is popularly known did whatever possible and is still doing whatever possible at 85 to give a better life to children in her motherland. What manifested from her generosity are the wards 2A and 2B of the IDH hospital for HIV positive children which is on its ninth year of existence. It is also noticeable that the wards are up to European standard in hygiene, facility and service.
‘Symphony for a Child’ does not stop at giving only shelter, cure and good health but also a solid foundation in education. Namal Yapage recommended to Sirima by Susil Gunesekera from rural south, after a finishing schooling and successfully coming through Kattubedde University won a scholarship to Sydney West University in Australia. Today he has a doctorate in Civil Engineering having received four special awards for his thesis. There are several others with good academic achievements. All under the umbrella of her care without exception feel that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
‘Symphony for a Child’, has donated its proceeds from inception to the AIDS Foundation of Sri Lanka to treat HIV Positive children and families afflicted by HIV/AIDS. The foundation supports in facilitating prevention and care programmes of the Government of Sri Lanka. The AIDS Foundation collaborates with the government in the prevention and cure of AIDS/HIV.
Sirima does not hesitate to mention the dedicated staff of the hospital who man the wards at IDH in Angoda. Caring is a 24-hour dedicated shift and without doubt a trying and tiring job. Consultant doctors Nishadi Ranasinghe, D.D.A Wijewickrema and Nyrna Cabraal along with the devoted hands of Matron Geethani Udugamakorale, Sister Madusha and ward nurses deliver hope. Srima considers them to be the engine of the project and the heavenly caring hands to the children.
‘Opportunities can change the world to good’ is a strong belief Sirima emits talking to her. In her it is not a statement but a conviction. It is indeed ‘a “Symphony for a Child”.
The entertainment will be befitting the cause.
| The performers | |
| ‘Symphony for a Child’ will be held on June 25 at 7 p.m. at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. The programme has been put together with many musicians volunteering to perform for the cause. Ramya Perera will be at the piano playing modern jazz by Fazil Say, flautist Tilanka Jayamanne will perform a solo, Sulara Nanayakkara will be on violin and classical guitarist Rashane Fernando will also perform. On the vocal front, students of Mary Anne David will perform a combination of classical and semi classical songs that will be a delight to listen to while the students of Haasinee Andree will add to the mix with a spectrum of modern music. Drumming a beat would be the students of Ravi Bandhu Vidhyapathy. |