Let them bloom

Peace's Pipena Kusum programme brings hope to underprivileged children

By Wathsala Mendis

Hundreds of repre-sentatives from governments and NGOs come together on October 1 each year to discuss ways and means of ensuring the rights of the child spelt out in the UN Convention. But how many of these forums and seminars and workshops go beyond mere paperwork and do something practical to upgrade the living standards of millions of underprivileged kids?

For hundreds of thousands of beach kids in Sri Lanka who eke out a living collecting and selling sawdust, firewood, empty bottles, pushing handcarts, carrying heavy loads or engaging in other forms of hazardous labour, life is one big battle.

While other children their own age enjoy the finer aspects of life such as art, music, drama, etc, that only real literacy can give, they squander their childhood and youth on a shot of kasippu, a drug-laced cigarette, or a bit of sordid sex leading to fatherhood or motherhood at too early an age.

Books, pens, pencils, school, a good education... these are all distant dreams for them. But should that be?

Are these children/youth to remain "broken buds" forever? Can't they stand up for their rights and fight against injustice, a corrupt social system which is trying to nip them in the bud.

Of course, to achieve this a major attitudinal change is necessary. They should be made aware of their rights, the importance of education and skills training, that life is much more than sweating out to earn a pittance.

PEACE (Protecting Environment And Children Everywhere) going a step beyond their usual programmes for abused children, have taken on this challenge. They have launched "Pipena Kusum"- a network of clubs dedicated to educating teenagers, especially school drop-outs, from the slum and beach areas on their rights, the value of education, good health habits, moral values, environmental issues, teaching them art, handicrafts, etc...

It all started around 1993 when PEACE volunteers had counselling and education sessions for women in beach areas frequented by tourists. These women would bring along their kids, children who were most prone to child abuse and other social crimes and vices, children who were not fortunate enough to receive a formal education. It was as a rehabilitation programme for these children that "Pipena Kusum" came into being. Significantly, the name was chosen by the children themselves at one of the seminars held in 1997/1998. That they were not and did not intend to be "broken buds" but blooming flowers was in itself a victory.

In October '97 a youth counsellor from PEACE, Lakmali Udugampola -a young law student- and a beach kid Sameera Perera had the opportunity to participate in a conference held in Brazil and again in December '98 in Harare, Zimbabwe, convened by the World Council of Churches.

Around 40 participants involved in children's groups and child rights movements from various parts of the world discussed the issues of child prostitution, street kids, child labour, commercial sexual exploitation, child refugees, and also how children can get together to help themselves, how to take the initiative, etc.

The participants made presentations on the state of children in their countries and shared their experiences.

Back at home, with the knowledge gained, they decided it was time they had their own network of clubs. "Pipena Kusum" began in January 1999 with clubs set up in Ratmalana, Egoda Uyana, Moratuwella, Angulana, Mattakkuliya, Ja- Ela, and Kandy, each club having a president, a secretary, a coordinator, a reporter, and a committee member.

On March 20 PEACE organized a "leadership building seminar," the first of its kind, for a selected number of youngsters from the seven "Pipena Kusum" clubs.

Each participant was provided with a booklet published by PEACE based on the UN Child Convention.

A brief introduction on the rights of the child was followed by a fiery speech from Mala Dissanayake, a member of the "Voice of Women," who stressed the importance of children getting together and fighting for their rights instead of waiting for them to be offered on a gold platter. "It's time we stopped brooding over our problems and started doing something. Each one of you has leadership qualities.

"You should understand those capabilities within you and sharpen them so that you can work towards a better tomorrow."

There was pin-drop silence when Col. Shane Balthazaar made a presentation on "leadership, discipline, and the work ethic," relating his own experiences in a career spanning 22 long years in the army and citing the example of a courageous captain in the battlefield.

In Sri Lanka today a sub culture has sprung up in beach areas with kids coming into contact with adults of questionable character. Therefore it's essential that children be able to stand up for what they believe is right and say "no" to what is wrong, even to their parents. Through leadership they can build a society where they can live happily and peacefully.

"Health education is not just the prevention and cure of diseases but the overall mental, physical, and social well-being of an individual," W. H. G. Fernando speaking on "health education in leadership building" explained. The importance of personal hygiene, good health habits, keeping one's home environment clean, and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases were discussed in his speech, followed by a lively and interesting question and answer session where children gave vent to their ideas, fears, anxieties, and problems.

At the end of the day it was proved once again that we adults can and must reach out to those not so privileged kids to help them achieve their goals not through violence but through their own strength and courage.

More Plus * A view from the hills

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