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Turning disability into special ability
By Thiruni Kelegama and Ishani
Ranasinghe
All children are special but some more than the rest. Intellectually impaired these young people may be, but they often have wonderful abilities within them.

Helping them realise their gifts is what the Chitra Lane School and Children's Resource Centre aims to do. Established in 1968, the school caters to the needs of special children providing a strong platform of medical support, education and development.

Gainful employment for young adults Pix by Gemunu Wellage

But what happens after the children leave school? Can they survive in society?

Turning disability into ability is what the Chitra Lane Workshop in Dehiwela is all about. The brainchild of Susie De Villiers and Seema Omar, the workshop was launched in September last year to offer a further training centre where these young adults could continue to develop their life skills, while following a programme of vocational activities preparing them for future employment and independence.

"Most graduate at the age of 22 from the school, and then just end up at home with nothing to do. They regress a lot as they are inactive. There was this lively young girl who was a talented dancer. But when she left school she couldn't find any sort of employment. Nobody was willing to give her a chance and after a couple of months, we found she had lost all hope," elaborated Susie.

The workshop thus aims to eventually place the young adults in secure, stimulating employment. With strong support from the Chitra Lane School, mothers of both the children and the trainees of the workshop also help this venture. A team of dedicated volunteers offers teaching, inspiration and support for the trainees.

Entering the workshop, we were greeted by happy, smiling faces. Twins Kanchana and Kalana, Suresh, Duminda and the others obviously enjoyed what they were doing. All were able to contribute to the products being made here, but each had their special skill.

Aroshan who has slight brain damage, sees himself as the heart-throb among the trainees. His forte is screen-printing. The workshop prints business cards, greeting cards etc., on order.

The products produced by the team include a highly successful range of soft furnishings such as denim cushion covers and throws. There was also a collection of fashionable ladies' crochet items including bags, purses, pouches and hair accessories.

A wall hanging with the Sinhalese alphabet embroidered in different colours, also caught our eye.

"These bags are very popular" said Seema pointing to a sequinned crochet bag of intricate design. "Usually the bags are made by the mothers who are helping here and the designs on them are done by the trainees," added Susie.

The workshop currently supplies items to four leading Sri Lankan retail stores, a travel company in Germany and one retailer in Britain.

From another corner of the room came a delectable aroma. "They are baking cookies," said Padma. The trainees are taught to produce, package and market cookies, brownies and certain desserts. The workshop supplies a number of schools and private enterprises with these items. Needless to say, the cookies were delicious.
"The trainees receive a basic salary and a bonus when we get a big order," said Susie. "So in the end they do end up learning something and also get paid for what they do."

Through its efforts, the Chitra Lane Workshop helps integrate individuals with special abilities into society to take their rightful places as participators rather than observers.
However, it is not all work and no play. The trainees have guitar and English lessons and are encouraged to do aerobics for relaxation

But, what really matters at the end of the day is that everyone has fun.

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