A time to have fun

The two-day annual Sunshine Camp gives differently abled children the opportunity to let go

By Nadia Fazlulhaq

Chaturika claps and dances to the music at the Sunshine Camp, enjoying two whole days of games and other fun-filled activities along with 300 other differently abled children.

Chaturika: All smiles and ready to boogie.

“Every year I come to this camp to sing, dance and play. It’s so much fun,” says Chaturika, who does not know her age. Organized by the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) of Dehiwala and held on August 20 and 21, the camp has been an annual event since 1971.

“They wait a whole year for this camp. Some count the days until this camp. At times when they are a little stubborn or naughty we warn that they won’t be sent to the camp and they are all good children for some time,” smiles Sister Ira from the Sisters of Charity, a volunteer worker at the “Daya-Mina” home for the handicapped in Imbuldeniya.

The camp had more than 50 volunteers, mostly teenagers and young adults. Nadeera, 28 who has been helping at the camp since he was eight years old says, he never misses the camp, despite having a busy schedule of work.

Other participants at the camp

Coming to the camp is a dream come true for these children, says Malcolm Dias, President of the YMCA.

Sandamali

Sriyani Asoka from Thalapathpitiya who had come to the camp with her 27-year-old daughter Sandamali agrees. “I want to see my daughter enjoying herself. Many parents do not take their handicapped children on outings worried about what people would say. But this is a wonderful place where these children can enjoy themselves,” says Sriyani.

Susil Hettiarachchi

“We want to make them feel the beauty of friendship and togetherness. Without any cultural or religious barriers these children spend two to three days happily under one roof. These camps also give parents greater confidence,” says Susil Hettiarachchi, Organizing Secretary of the Sunshine Camp.