Christmas cheer for differently-abled

The Kandy Girls’ Vidyalaya High School organised a ‘Fun Sports Festival’ for the differently-abled children of Dodanwela, in time for Christmas at their school grounds.It was organized by the Dreams and Teams Associations of the school. The Dreams and Teams Association is part of an international programme where Dharmawickrema Girls’ College, Kandy and Central College, Kadugannawa are partners.

Grade 10 student Ismeth Mehlar of Girls’ High School said “When we entered the school, we saw the students standing outside their classes watching us in wonder. Some of the older boys among them showed us the grounds and volunteered to help us arrange the grounds. Because they could not talk or hear we had to communicate with them in sign language and by writing. Often we had difficulties in answering their questions but they understood the situation and refrained from asking us too many questions. It did not bother them much either. Sometimes they would stop their work and watch us puzzled when we chanted and laughed. We felt very sorry for them at such moments but they joined us happily with the work.”

“Everyone enjoyed the games and so did we. The small children were very excited but when it came to the moment of parting, we saw the sudden sadness in their eyes. They thanked us in their own way and asked us to visit them again. The innocent faces made it difficult for us to leave and with a promise of visiting them again we left the children,” she said.

It was the opinion of every student who visited the festival, that the children behaved very well, though differently abled and hid their disabledness. As one student told the Kandy Times it was the most unforgettable experience they ever had and the best festival they organised, as students.

The festival was organised for the students of Grades 1 to 4 of the Vidyalaya. The chief guest on this day was the British Council Kandy Director Alastair Basset.