Carving a place for them too

A Vocational Training Centre in Seeduwa offers hope to the handicapped. Shelani de Silva reports

Eighteen year old Dhammika was cruelly disappointed when two months before her A'Levels, she was asked to leave school. She had hoped to enter University and to be deprived of this simply because she was deaf was a shattering experience.

Being handicapped is a heavy burden but in countries like Sri Lanka, the lack of facilities and the attitude of people makes life even more difficult.

There are hundreds of girls and boys like Dhammika who have little to look forward to, no future to build. It is only through organisations like the Vocational Training Centre for the Handicapped in Seeduwa that they have found a new lease of life.

Run by the Social Services Department, the centre can accommodate 140 and takes in those who are blind, deaf and dumb, or mentally and physically handicapped. The main objective is to give them vocational training in agriculture, carpentry, leather and rattan work, tailoring, dressmaking and Juki work, electrical and technological skills.

At present there are 110 students. The centre provides residential facilities and a two year training period ensures a thorough grounding in both the practicals and theory of each subject. At the end of the course the students receive a certificate.

"We take in unmarried boys and girls between 18 and 32. Although there are three other centres in other parts of Sri Lanka there are students from all over the island. 90% have been given hostel facilities while the rest travel from home," explained Superintendent of the institution U R Rodrigo.

Those living in have to prepare their own meals. They do their own cooking supervised by a matron. Their day begins around four o'clock in the morning when they commence preparing breakfast. By 8.15 in the morning the students have their religious observances followed by physical training. Classes are from 9.30 to 4.45 p.m. The students are given the freedom to go out but must be back by seven in the evening.

"They might be handicapped, but they are adults and they too have a life. They are very responsible," added Mr. Rodrigo.

While the course is free of charge each student is given Rs 30 a day for meals .

Admitting that the sum is not at all sufficient, Mr. Rodrigo said the Department has requested for an increase and they are awaiting Cabinet approval to make the incentive payment Rs 50.

"It is not only the vocational training they get but also training in being independent. They are taught to manage their finances. There are many students who save at least Rs. 100 monthly. Some even send a small sum to their homes," he said.

Applications to the centre are generally called for at the beginning of the year. While some come through the Provincial Councils, others apply direct to the centre. Once students are chosen they have to face an interview.

For the electrical and technology course the basic qualification is the Ordinary Level examination. Although the centre tries to accommodate all applicants sometimes they are compelled to reject those who suffer from severe disorders.

The centre also seeks to find employment for students in factories in the area as it is a problem for them to find employment.

"We might say that equality is a must but having dealt with these people there is still a vast gap. Society has changed with technological progress but somethings don't change, like people's attitudes. Yet there are some businessmen who do their utmost to help" Mr. Rodrigo said.

"Employment today is the biggest problem not only for the handicapped but also for others. But factories can give them jobs. For example a garment factory sends us orders to stitch badges on shirts. So the students can work from here."

The Seeduwa centre which opened its doors in 1958 is now drawing up a new programme. Firstly the applicants will be asked what kind of job they wish to do, secondly whether they want to be self employed, in which case individual training will be provided or if they want to cater to the open market or get involved with a joint production.

"Plans are underway to have a research centre at Seeduwa within the next two years. If this project materialises it will provide the much needed facilities," Mr Rodrigo said.

Lack of facilities is today the centre's biggest problem. With funding being short, maintenance of the premises has been neglected. For the 110 students there are only 13 trained staff for each department.

"We do not have the latest machinery. If we are to train students for jobs in factories, they have to be skilled in the use of modern machinery. We badly need the equipment," explained Mr.Rodrigo. No one would disagree that the cause is worthy and the students need all the help they can get.

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