Contests to mark Saviya International Disability Day

The Saviya Development Foundation (SDF) will implement various programmes aiming at disabled children in Galle, Matara and Hambantota districts.

Saviya Athvela Vocational Training Center in Kamburugamuva facilitates male and female students with physical impairment and has made arrangements to obtain the accreditation of tertiary and vocational education commission for the one year courses of repairing domestic electrical equipments and motor rewinding.

A training centre with residential facilities for female children with autism in Nalavana, Kananke, Weligama and a boys’ home for the mentally handicapped in Akmeemana, Galle are also managed by the SDF.

SDF has also organised a series of painting, poster and writing competitions to be implemented at national level.

Children, between 10 to 15 years can participate in the junior competitions while those over 15 years can participate in the senior competitions. Children who are not disabled can also participate in the competitions.

Contributions should be sent before November 20, 2008. Rs. 5,000 will be awarded to the first prize winner while Rs. 3,000 will be awarded to the second and Rs. 2,000 to the third prize winners. Singing and dancing competitions for boys and girls are also planned under senior and junior levels.

Essays can be presented on ‘Community participation towards making the persons with disabilities partners in the society, ‘Facilitate the fulfillment of aspirations of the persons with disabilities through providing easy access.

Safeguard equality and equity of the persons with disabilities and the necessity to launch community interventions to combat social stigma. Essays of seniors should not be less than 400 words while it should not be less than 300 words for juniors.

The topics of paintings and posters are - “We will came to this world with dignity’, “Persons with disability” and “Humanity Rights and A productive alternative through skills development”.

Information can be obtained by writing to Saviya Development Foundation, 24A, Wewelwala Road, Bataganvila, Galle or calling 091-2245781 and 091-2234281.