| Mirror
Magazine |
||||
|
A
job well done Belihuloya
seemed the ideal location. The village is now a far cry from the
golden era when the villagers manu-factured spears, swords and knives
for the great king Dutugemunu (161-137 BC). While development has
invaded, many villagers are still deprived of safe drinking water,
good health care and education. An important
aspect of this location was its great diversity of flora and fauna.
Situated between the hill country and low country, it is within
easy reach of a number of breathtaking locations - gushing waterfalls,
lush forests, grasslands and exciting caves. "We teamed
up with Eco-Team, a training company associated with The River Garden
Resort, and The Centre for Nature Related Activities at Belihuloya.
Our focus was to get an overall feel for the community and the land
as well as to contribute to the development of the people. Eco Team
and the staff at River Garden Resort conducted a preliminary survey
of community needs and gave us a list of possible community service
assignments. We opted to paint the local hospital. The last time
it had been painted was a number of years ago," said Ms Jurangpathy,
the CAS Programme Co-ordinator. "The challenge
for us was to carry out a project that was in collaboration with
the villagers who didn't want to simply accept a donation." "My expectations
were more than met. I was close to nature and was at ease with the
local community. Camping was fabulous and bathing in the river will
be one of my fondest memories. The tents were beastie friendly with
a great temperature inside," said an enthusiastic student.
All guests
were provided with insect and waterproof tents along with comfortable
mattresses and bed linen. They however had a lot of work to accomplish
before they could relax. They were here on a mission to serve the
community. The day began
with a nature trail through the dense jungle, with a guide to point
out the exotic birds and rare plants. "During the trek, I saw
a variety of plants, shrubs, insects and animals I had never seen
before," exclaimed one student. Puffing and panting, tired
but happy, the students finally made their way back to the campsite.
Then it was
time to go to the Belihuloya hospital where aided by the masons
and professional painters in the village, they set to work. They
scraped, repaired and painted the walls and furniture and mopped
the floors all day long. Supervised by the grama sevaka, the villagers
joined in willingly, happy to see the renovations to the local hospital
that were taking place before their eyes. The hospital staff too
were pleased to pitch in and lots of willing hands helped the students
accomplish their task. After a few
short breaks and a lot of hard work they managed to paint the entire
hospital. "The villagers guided us and gave us tips on how
to paint. Things went well and we managed to paint the whole hospital
by the end of the day," said a student. As the sun
faded away, the students joined the villagers to celebrate a job
well done in typical village style. It was quite a festival. University
lecturers sang, school children danced, villagers performed traditional
dances, the Overseas School children introduced themselves, sang
and showed the villagers their own version of a hat game. Several
local dignitaries including the provincial council minister and
the school principal thanked the students for their efforts. A trek to the
Samanalaweva Hydro Project to observe the fauna and man's impact
on the environment the following day wound up the project. "I think
I might come back, it's so beautiful here," mused Saku. "
The painting of the hospital was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed
working with the people in the village." "The project
gave the hospital a much-needed boost. The villages and students
were able to work and interact together. We are very happy with
the exposure we received and the outcome of the project. We were
able to show the community that we care," said Anuruddha Bandara,
Managing Director of Eco Team. As Simran,
a student summed up, "The trip was very different. We really
roughed out by staying in a tent. Our nature trail took me bird
watching for the first time. The food was very good too. Also knowing
that I did a little to help the village is a really nice feeling." The OSC philosophy states that education neither begins nor ends in the classroom or the examination hall. Infact the essential aspects of education may exist outside both - and it just might be among the intermediate zone. A
youthful presentation
This
project will be in two phases - Masquerade, a collection of four
one-act plays and Muse, a festival of music. Masquerade
will feature the Interactors from the Interact Clubs of D. S. Senanayaka
Vidyalaya and Royal College joining hands with the Visakhians. Three of these
plays will be presented by the individual schools while one play
will be a combined effort. Each drama deals with a different issue,
thereby providing variety to make an enjoyable evening. The Model Family
takes a look at the themes of youth, wealth and revenge all adding
up to murder. This dramatic
interpretation that revolves around high class family life in the
21st Century will be presented by the Interactors of Visakha Vidyalaya. Masquerade
is about a girl in misery, a boy who reaches out, a friendship that
grows between them and a death that shatters it all.
And
nothing will ever be the same again. Seven actors and actresses
from the three schools will portray the roles. The plays by
the Interactors of Royal College and D. S Senanayake Vidyalaya promise
to add to the entertainment. The very enthusiastic
committee said they wanted their project to be unique and memorable.
They also want to give a wide range of Interactors a chance to show
their skills. Promoting creativity is another aim. "People
now are more into arts, especially drama and we felt that a collection
of plays would be the best way to draw the crowd," replied
Project Chairperson Dhenushika Karunathilake when asked why they
chose to do a drama festival. Doing something different seems to
be what this group of bubbly organisers has in mind. A percentage of the proceeds will go to the Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital and the Pelmadulla Drug Rehabilitation Centre. The rest of the proceeds will be used to finance several school and community service projects planned by the Interact Club of Visakha Vidyalaya. Special
day for Bridgetines
A whole day's activity has been planned to keep the young and the
young at heart in step with each other. A programme of items performed
by students, leading to a magic show by the internationally acclaimed
Ronald de Alwis of Magicana followed by a premier ticket raffle
draw, cookery demonstration, a children's fashion show, trade stalls
and games of skill, a kiddies and amusement corner, and several
food stalls will add to the fun and festivities of the day.
Leading designer Michael Wijesooriya's latest fashion collection
with hair and make-up done by Ramani Fernando Salon Ltd, interludes
of Latin American dance performed by Gayathri and Channa with DJ
Loe, DJ Marz, DJ Doms and DJ K. J. from the 'Colombo 2000' manning
the Disco, are other highlights. The final exciting event in the
day's programme will be Damage providing live music from 8.00 p.m.
onwards.
Tickets are priced at Rs. 200 and premier tickets offering bonus
surprises are priced at Rs. 1000. Tickets for the fashion show and
the Latino Dance are Rs 100. Tickets will be available at St. Bridgets Convent. |
||||
Copyright © 2001 Wijeya Newspapers
Ltd. All rights reserved. |
