Features | Online edition of Daily News

Talent, as the Bible reveals, is God given. Only a few are blessed with the ability to use it wisely. In Sri Lanka, many do not have either resources or opportunities to make use of their talents. They bundle up their ‘hidden talents’ and remain cornered. And this is where charity begins.

With her ex-municipal councillor husband, Padma Colonne stretches a helping hand to the talented in the country. “We have so many talented youths in Sri Lanka. But most are hidden mainly due to the lack of accessibility. My aim is to take them out of these corners.”

She speaks elegantly. May be it is her legacy as a specialist trained teacher with a London degree. She had been serving at St. Mary’s College, Dehiwala and S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia.

“Our younger generation has only a theoretical knowledge which they get from schools. So they badly need extra knowledge.”

Colonne has tried out many extra-curricular activities such as ‘Do you know’ contests along with dramas to kindle creativity in youths. Currently she is the director of Skills Development Programme (SSDP) aiming at addressing youth’s needs while developing their abilities for future well-being.

“You can see good leadership traits in these youths. I cannot simply tell how happy I am to train them for the future. I learn a lot from them in return.”

She embarks on her poverty alleviation programmes focusing on New Year and poya festivals. Many of her students have clinched merit certificates, Silver medals and Golden Excellence Service awards from Sri Lanka United Nations Organisation, which is recognised by The UNO.

Ruwantha Gunawardana and Ahamed Irfan are talented two students from her Association who were given an opportunity to fly to Malaysia on a training programme. Colonne is the live wire behind all these achievements.

For all her services, she was recently honoured with the highly prestigious ‘United Nations Volunteer Service Millennium Award’ in 2007.

This was followed by a three-metre long banner with 36 captions on global poverty alleviation programme. It is the longest banner recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The banner remains as evidence for Colonne’s talents in drawing and painting. Apart from painting and drawing she scripts for Sinhala and English dramas and composes songs. She has a rare flair for teaching English to students convincingly. Ordinary Level exams are a cakewalk for her students.

She is never exhausted when she teaches English literature and language to the needy youth free. She knows the spirit of charity.

Her will for charity was again rewarded when she bagged the ‘United Nations - International Women’s Day Service Excellence Award in 2008 along with Manel Illeperuma for her services for women and children.

Her stage play to commemorate women’s day was themed on the present day woman’s role in society. Eight of her students took part in this drama. Colonne has attempted to convey a creative message of the woman’s due place in society through this endeavour.

The Youth Community Service Project held last year in Galle was another attempt by her. The project renovated an old child centre building by plastering and painting the walls. Colonne taught them the importance of team spirit by dividing them into groups and getting them to work collectively. Some students cleaned the garden and planted fruit plants and flower plants.

“I was not so active in the project, because I wanted them to carry on alone. But my husband Bandula and myself were there whenever they wanted us. The project ended up with students becoming friends with children at the centre. In fact everybody enjoyed. It was not just a community service project, but also a tour of goodwill.”

Her husband, Bandula Colonne is a banker as well as an ex-councillor of The Colombo Municipal Council. Having served his terms, Bandula Colonne is now enjoying his retirement by propping up his wife’s projects.

The Mahawila United Students’ Front (MUSF) established in 2005 is their brainchild.

The idea behind MUSF is to see that all students in this society should stand together as one without having any differences or divisions. As she believes in a united atmosphere, she has chosen ‘United We Stand’ as their motto. The association has activities every first Sunday with debates conducted in English.

Another aim of forming MUSF was to encourage intellectual social, emotional and spiritual development of young students, so that they can take a constructive position, as members of their local, national and even international communities.

Aromatherapy; Path to rejuvenation

Aromatherapy is the practice of using volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical well-being.

You can learn to make your own products and control the exact ingredients included in your own personal aromatherapy products.

Benefits: Essential oils that are inhaled into the lungs offer both psychological and physical benefits. Not only does the aroma of the natural essential oil stimulate the brain to trigger a reaction, but when inhaled into the lungs, the natural constituents (naturally occurring chemicals) can supply therapeutic benefit. Diffusing eucalyptus essential oil to help ease congestion is a prominent example.

If not done correctly and safely, however, the use of essential oils can have severe consequences.

Physical application : Essential oils that are applied to the skin can be absorbed into the bloodstream. The constituents of essential oils can aid in health, beauty and hygiene conditions. Since essential oils are so powerful and concentrated, they should never be applied to the skin in their undiluted form.

To apply essential oils to the skin, essential oils are typically diluted into a carrier such as a cold pressed vegetable oil, also known as a carrier oil. Common carrier oils include sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil and grape seed oil.

Other benefits: In addition to therapeutic benefit at the emotional and physical level, essential oils are helpful in other applications. Essential oils can be used in household and laundry cleaners.

Some oils act as a natural insect repellent and pesticide. You may recall using citronella candles to keep mosquitoes away. Citronella essential oil is the ingredient in the candles that is responsible for repelling the mosquitoes.

Essential oil blends: Essential oils can be blended together to create appealing and complex aromas. Essential oils can also be blended for a specific therapeutic application. Essential oils that are carefully blended with a specific therapeutic purpose in mind may be referred to as an essential oil synergy. A synergistic essential oil blend is considered to be greater in total action than each oil working independently.

Not all ready-made aromatherapy products labelled with the word “aromatherapy” are pure and natural. Products that contain artificial ingredients do not provide true aromatherapy benefits. At worst, they provide no benefit or be harmful. At best, they provide only a fraction of the benefit that natural products supply. Some individuals must avoid particular oils due to health problems.

Aromaweb

Air Freshener

Ingredients: 4 oz. clean spray bottle with a fine mist setting (do not use a bottle that previously contained cleaning products or hair products such as hair spray). 30-40 drops of your favourite essential oil or essential oil blend keeping the safety data of the chosen essential oil(s) in mind 1.5 ounces of distilled water and 1.5 ounces of high-proof alcohol (vodka is suitable, rubbing alcohol is not).

Alternatively, you may omit the alcohol and increase the amount of distilled water to 3 ounces. The alcohol helps the aroma linger for a longer duration.

20 drops lime

Be sure and take heed in the safety data for the oil(s) you choose to use since an air freshener, by its nature, will come in contact with all those in your household.

Directions: Fill the spray bottle with the choice of either 1.5 ounces of distilled water and 1.5 ounces of alcohol or three ounces of distilled water. (Even though a four oz. bottle is suggested, leave about one oz. unfilled so you can shake the bottle well between uses.) Then, add 30-40 drops of essential oil. Essential oils can very in strength.

You may want to try 20 drops at first especially if you live in a household with someone who is sensitive to strong aromas. Shake the bottle prior to each use, and let it sit for about a day before making a conclusion that the aroma is too weak; the aroma can change after the air freshener has had time to sit. Mist lightly in the room.

Be especially careful not to allow the air freshener mist fall onto furniture or into open beverages.

What to eat for looks & health

Apple

Beside having amazing healing properties, apple keeps skin supple. Its heavy concentration of enzymes helps peel off dead skin cells. It breaks down fat and helps food digest properly.

Maintain the outer layer of the skin to prevent premature aging. What you’ll find in is the same as you’ll get in Retin A.

To ensure a happy smile, add a slice or two of hard cheese into your diet. Choose Swiss, cheddar, or gouda to block bacteria in the mouth and prevent cavities.

Hold the skin cells together by forming collagen. Collagen cannot be added to the skin topically, which is why fruits and fruit juices are such an important part of the daily diet.

Vitamin A is known to be a remarkable anti-wrinkling agent. Sweet potatoes are full of this important vitamin. The pleasing results is clearer, smoother skin.

These “love apples” will keep you loving your skin. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium. You should choose foods that you enjoy, of course, but you need to include the following:

Two to three servings daily. A 1/2 cup of chopped or sliced fruit is a serving. Fruit salad

Have no more than three ounce servings a day. Cut off all fat. Try to make two servings of turkey or chicken. One serving of fish a day is ideal.

Brinjal and Dried fish Pehi

Slice finely the brinjals and deep fry them. Fry finely chopped onions and garlic. Add them to brinjal. Mix mustard powder, vinegar salt, crushed chilles together to make a paste. Turn over the fried brinjals, onions in this mixture.

Add fried dryfish and mix well. Chop tomatoes in blocks and mix in the brinjal mixture. If necessary you can add chopped green chillies into this. Can be stored refrigerated for a week.

Tandori Cauliflower

salt

Directions

Cut cauliflower into eight pieces with the stem. Prick the central stem with a fork. Put water in a wide saucepan and bring to boil. Add lemon juice and turmeric, cook the cauliflower until tender (uncovered), for five to seven minutes. drain and leave to cool. Place yoghurt, oil lemon juice , garlic, ginger, chillie, salt, masala in a bowl, mix well. Add cauliflower, toss gently mix well. Marinade for three hours.

Grease the grill and cook it fro six to eight minutes each side, turning from time to time. When finished sprinkle cummin powder and serve hot.

Harnessing a future of goodwill