Stepping into the Sri Lanka Girl Guide Headquarters one senses the excitement. The countdown has begun with less than a month for the International Differently Abled Girl Guide Camp which will be hosted for the first time by Sri Lanka!
The camp will be held from August 11 to 17, 2011 and will see the participation of 130 Differently Abled Girl Guides from Sri Lanka, Hong Kong and Kenya. Volunteers from Canada and the UK will also be present to help. True to the spirit of Guiding, Differently Abled Girl Guides belonging to 13 institutions from all four corners of the country will gather as one family for the camp. The camp will be for the hearing impaired, sight impaired, Down Syndrome and slow learners.
“For the first time, Differently Abled Girl Guides from the East will also be joining us!” says a very excited Marlyn Dissanayaka, Director of the Differently Abled Branch of the Sri Lanka Girl Guide Association (SLGGA).
The camp will begin with a procession of all participating Girl Guide institutions starting at the SLGGA Headquarters and ending at the Ladies’ College grounds which will serve as the camp site.
A programme full of fun and learning including a day trip to the Pinnawala elephant orphange awaits the campers. On August 13 the campers will be able to prove their athletic skills at the Sports Festival and on August 14, they can unwind with a fun session of arts and crafts.
“We want to help the girls discover their talents,” says Ms. Dissanayaka adding that they hope to nurture and improve the numerous talents that these girls possess.
Those interested can drop in on these two days from 10a.m to 12 noon and witness the activities. They will also be able to join the campers at the Open Day to be held on August 16. This will be yet another opportunity to mingle with the girls and get to know them better. The Open Day will be followed by a campfire – an integral part of any Girl Guiding Camp.
The theme of the camp is ‘Creating Our Future’. The camp promises to serve as an opportunity for these girls to share their traditions, cultures and knowledge with each other, discuss challenges faced and how to overcome them and create a support network. A workshop for the leaders accompanying the participants will also be held.
Many of the Differently Abled Girl Guides lack the funds to go overseas themselves and this will be a golden opportunity for them to gain exposure. The participants of the camp are also unable to help the camp financially. Therefore the SLGGA relies heavily on the goodwill of society to finance various expenses such as food, transport and uniforms.
The SLGGA is deeply grateful to the corporate sector and individuals who have come forward to lend a hand by cash and kind. However, they are yet short of the estimated minimum expense and looking for more support from the public.
The concert held in April this year with the participation of Differently Abled Girl Guides, was successful in enlightening the public on the dexterity and capabilities of the differently abled community. “Many people could not believe that the wonderful performers were Differently Abled girls” enthused Ms. Dissnayaka. She went on to say that many had even asked if the Differently Abled girls could perform at various corporate functions.
“We want the camp to be an eye-opener, to showcase the talents of these Differently Abled girls” she added. “Society has to learn to accept the Differently Abled community, respect them and recognize their numerous talents.
She is grateful to Mrs. Nirmali Wickremesinghe, Principal of Ladies’ College for extending her support and encouragement. “Mrs. Wickremesinghe’s vision is that society should be on the lookout for the talents of such Differently Abled girls and employ them.” Ladies’ College currently has two differently abled teachers as part of their staff.
The Sunday Times met yet another who is very happy to be helping out with the camp. “I strongly believe that society should accept the Differently Abled and treat them equally” urges Shimalka Bodaragama, first runner-up Miss Sri Lanka 2011, a Girl Guide during her school days at Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya.
Any help from well wishers will be welcome. Those interested can either donate a sum of money or sponsor a specific expense. Those willing to help with setting up camp on the first day and clearing up after can contact the headquarters for further details. Further, an option called ‘Chain of Friends’ is also available, enabling the sponsoring of the cost of one Differently Abled Girl Guide for a day at camp which is estimated at Rupees 1000.
Those interested in supporting the International Differently Abled Girl Guide Camp by cash or kind can contact Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association at 10, Marcus Fernando Mawatha, Colombo 7 or call them at +94-11-2695720. They can also be reached at slgga@dynaweb.lk or bdslgga@gmail.com |
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