Creating something beautiful for themselves and society
Engrossed in their handicrafts: Residents under the guiding gaze of Sister Anastasia. Pix by Amila Gamage
“Mamai keruwe meka,” Dinusha* proudly proclaims. Dinusha’s colourful knitted pattern has been sewn onto a bag which will soon be sold at the Daya Mina centre’s bi-annual sale. In fact, everyone is preparing for the sale and directress Sister Anastasia tells us that all the students are excitedly showing each other what they have made, happy to see the work they put in producing results.
Quite apart from raising funds for the activities of the upcoming year, Sister Anastasia hopes to show everyone that differently abled children can also be productive members of society.
The Daya Mina Activity Centre run by the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary began in 1989. The current centre is located in Embuldeniya, Nugegoda and has over 60 students, with residential facilities being offered for some of the female students. They take part in various activities from 8.30 a m to 3p.m. which helps them develop educational, social and vocational skills in accordance with their abilities.
The centre aims to help students integrate with their families and wider society as well as imparting a skill. The students learn how to make items which are sold either at the Christmas sale or throughout the year to raise funds for the centre.
Candles for Christmas
One of the main attractions of the sale are the candles which are made for various religious ceremonies including Christmas. The students are taught how to pour wax into the moulds and make candles which are then decorated and sold. They are also taught to make bags, cards and other handicrafts.
“We have to have a standard in what we sell but the activities themselves are more about the students making things and for them the goal is not the sale,” explains Sister Anastasia, emphasising that encouraging her students to create something is more important than ensuring that everything is perfect, although the products sold will be of a certain standard.
Sister Anastasia is constantly looking to improve the lives of her students. The last time the Sunday Times visited the centre, she was raising funds for a new bus for the students something she referred to as an almost unrealistic dream, but today the bus is parked at the entrance of the centre ready to take students for their activities. We learn that the money raised from last year’s walk and the generous donations the centre received have funded this bus. Sister Anastasia hopes to make more improvements to give her students the best possible learning experience.
*Name changed to protect privacy
| Don’t miss the sale | |
| The sale is being held in collaboration with Supem Uyana, Gonapinuwela and Meth Mihira, Koralawella and will be on Wednesday, November 21 and Thursday, 22 at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery from 10.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. The organisers hope to see members of the public coming and supporting this worthy cause. Daya Mina is located at 29, Thalapathpitiya Rd,Embuldeniya, Nugegoda. They can be contacted via telephone on – 0112834633 or dayaminac@yahoo.com.
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