A little bit of Christmas magic for Sunshine Charity
View(s):While most tsunami aid projects have watered down, the day care centre run by the Sunshine Charity is thriving, just as it has for the past nine years. “We were advised by UNICEF that the urgent need in 2004 was a day care centre for children affected by the tsunami” recalls a trustee of the Charity Sharadha de Saram remembering how it came about.
The day care facility set up in Sambaltivu, Trincomalee spreads sunshine in the lives of 45 kids of the locality. Varying from two years of age to six the toddlers are given an opportunity to express themselves through art. Believing that a creative output is the therapeutic relief these children need the charity has encouraged puppetry workshops, painting the walls of the day care centre and even papier-mache classes all funded by generous donors. “It only takes Rs. 150 to sponsor a child for a day, which really is not much,” said Sharadha.
“One of the reasons we have managed to sustain our efforts is because of the relationship we build with our donors and our transparent system of receiving and utilising funds” elaborates Sharadha, “even the smallest donation we receive is acknowledged with a receipt.”
Having partnered with Grace Education Care Centre that runs an orphanage in the adjoining premises and using local staff who are being trained they are a truly local effort to brighten the lives of children. This Christmas the Sunshine Charity has inspired the likes of Soul Sounds, Ananda Dabare, Rukshan Perera and the Lanerolle Brothers to perform for the benefit of these children.
The concert titled “Christmas Magic” to be held on December 7 is bound to be a magical delight because of its unique setting. The concert is to be held at Gandhara, Stratford Avenue and the performances are to be from different locations within the premises, creating a truly magical experience. In support of spreading sunshine in the lives of these children the Sunshine Charity invites everyone to be a part of the event.
The tickets priced at Rs. 2500 will be on sale at The Commons and Gandhara.