Children

Belgium

The Kingdom of Belgium is a country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters, as well as those of other major international organizations, including NATO and the OECD. Belgium covers an area of 30,528 km2 (11,787 square miles) and has a population of about 10.7 million.

Straddling the cultural boundary between Germanic and Latin Europe, Belgium is home for two main linguistic groups, the Flemings and the French-speakers, mostly Walloons, plus a small group of German-speakers.

Belgium’s two largest regions are the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in the North, with 59 percent of the population, and the French-speaking Southern region of Wallonia, inhabited by 31 percent. The Brussels-Capital Region, officially bilingual, is a mostly French-speaking enclave within the Flemish Region, and has 10 percent of the population.

A small German-speaking Community exists in Eastern Wallonia. Belgium’s linguistic diversity and related political and cultural conflicts are reflected in the political history and a complex system of Government.

The name ‘Belgium’ is derived from Gallia Belgica, a Roman province in the northernmost part of Gaul that was inhabited by the Belgae, a mix of Celtic and Germanic peoples.

Historically, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg were known as the Low Countries, which used to cover a somewhat larger area than the current Benelux group of states. From the end of the Middle Ages until the 17th Century, it was a prosperous centre of commerce and culture.

From the 16th Century until the Belgian revolution in 1830, many battles between European powers were fought in the area of Belgium, causing it to be dubbed ‘the battlefield of Europe’ and ‘the cockpit of Europe’ a reputation strengthened by both World Wars.

Upon its independence, Belgium eagerly participated in the Industrial Revolution and at the end of the nineteenth century, possessed several colonies in Africa.

“Acting is just a way of making a living; the family is life.” - Denzel Washington:

Being a family

A Family is the most important unit in society. A strong family unit creates a safe, positive and supportive place for all members to live in harmony. They are able to utilize resources and to live together in a fairly healthy manner.

May 15 (tomorrow) is International Day of Families. So it will be nice to have a family get together to celebrate the day.

However as you all may have experienced some of your school friends may not have healthy family backgrounds. When the parents have misunderstandings and disputes children can get neglected. These not-so-lucky children are affected by emotional trauma and financial difficulties. So these children can get angry with their friends even for minor shortcomings and become stubborn in their behaviour.

However, as responsible citizens we should sympathize with them knowing their family shortcomings. We must try to convince such neglected children that they are not alone and that they can always share their grievances.

It is the bounden duty of each and every one of us to help them even in a small measure to overcome such difficult situations. A healthy family will be reaching out to help others. They do not tend to isolate themselves from the rest of the world.

The Mother plays a pivotal role in keeping a sound family bond. Women specially mothers should be well educated and be of sound health. Then only can they look after the rest of the family members. Family closeness, flexibility, time spent together, spirituality reflect in a good family. All members must ideally feel a freedom within the group to express themselves freely.

A very important thing for families to teach their children is how to make good decisions. If they have watched their parents making well thought out decisions over the years, they will tend to be good decision makers themselves.

A healthy, happy family strengthens our whole society. Among the children of strong families there is less crime and less emotional problems. They tend to go on and have strong, healthy families of their own, having learned from their parents and siblings.

Children should not fight and argue with their siblings because its to show the unity and strength of the family. I hope our children will keep this in mind from tomorrow.

By the way thanks for all your contributions on Vesak. Please keep up the good work.

Good luck. Bye for now.

Aunt Anji

Storms threatening inhabitants of the woods

The story so far…

Pramodaka, Nalaka, Champika and Chinthaka go on a trip to the woods with their parents for their school holidays. In the middle of the night the children are awakened by a strange noise. On following their dog, Scooby, Chinthaka is snared by the age old spell of the ‘luring stones’.

Pramodaka departs with Ruwi, a pixie, to recall a book of spell to cast off the spell while Nalaka, Champika and the dog remain behind with Sachi, a gnome who updates them on the life of mythical creatures. Shamilka, a friend of the mythical creatures joins in and they begin hunting for Pramodaka and Ruwi as there is no sign of their return. Just as they were coming to terms with the fact that they were lost, six rabbits scamper along the way.

The rabbits take pity upon the children and agree to guide them part of the way. One of the rabbits named Wasu meets Zira, a young gnome who is chooses the moment to play a trick on him. Meanwhile a storms is brewing in the West and threatening the inhabitants of the woods. Everyone flees in fright except one creature who had the opportunity to eavesdrop....

Ruwi grabbed Pramodaka’s hand and made a dash for cover.

“What’s going on, aunt Ruwi,” Pramodaka gasped as he grabbed onto the book of Magical spells with one hand and did his best to keep up with the pixie.

“We have to find Sachi and the others. I just managed to get through to him but my vision keeps blurring. Something tells me we have to get to Russell as well,” she shot back, hardly slowing down to catch her breath.

Sachi, the children and rabbits were taking cover in behind the trees. Zira, too badly frightened and not his cheery self joined them but they hardly noticed his presence.

“Ruwi and Pramodaka are fine. They are just heading back this way...”

“Did you contact them?”

“Yes, but I had problems with connecting her. Something is not quite right... You don’t suppose...”

His voice trained off as he turned towards Basu. The black rabbit had lost his stern look and his eyes were wide with fear.

“It can’t be... The elves imprisoned her many years ago and there isn’t any possible way....” he squeaked.

Anu, Kapu and Wasu panicked and looked around in fear. Pramu did his best in trying to keep cool.

Meantime a figured sneaking behind a bush suddenly noticed the changes taking place in the surroundings. It jumped to its feed and sniffed, giving an unpleasant hiss. Its companions had fled and taken cover but it had been too engaged in its deeds to take notice. However even it cannot ignore the howling wind and the thunder which was threatening to cloud the woods. It picked up its ears and looked around with blood-shot eyes.

“Ah hissss.... He was right when he said that a danger was going to come this way at the meeting of the chiefs. Ha ha... Good to sneak about and pry into their affairs.... hisss, hissss.... Trouble for those nasty elves, gnomes and goblins but good for me....” it thought with glee as it began making its way on all fours.

A slight movement nearby caught its eye as it stood still to sniff at the air.

“Ah... What have we here? The nasty pack itself.... Must see what they are up to...”

Sulo slowly began clamouring up the tree to and her eyes gleamed with malice as she caught sight of the figures of uncle Sachi with his friends.

To be continued

Visit to the zoo

Last week we visited the zoo.
We went by bus to Dehiwala.
The zoo was very crowded.
We first visited the Minmadura where the fish are.
It was dark inside.
We felt as we were under water alone with the fish.
It was a beautiful sight with different coloured fish with
different names and different sizes.
There were gold fish, angels and guppies.
As we came out we saw the sea lion inside a cage.
Then we followed the arrows which began with
the zebra fenced in.
After that we saw the big brown bears inside the pits.
The lions were too in their pits.
Leopards were in the adjoining pits all in a row.
Next we went to see the elephants.
They were eating leaves as
we watched them.
Elephants are herbivorous animals.
There was a baby elephant as well.

We also saw the animal with a long neck guess who?
The giraffe,
it too is a herbivorous animal.
Monkeys were having real fun hanging by their
tails swinging on
the trees and putting their hands out and asking
for peanuts.
Their chattering was very noisy.
Although there were many other animals more
to see we were running out of time.
So we had to leave before closing time,
promising ourselves to
come again to see the other animals that
we couldn’t see

Maleesha, Mayanthi, Niseni, Nimroo, Dilshi, Ranuli, Timali, Nadini Grade 4 D, Musaeus College.

Excel at international art competition

Chamodhi Manujani	Harshan Dilanjana

Two Sri Lankan students won special prizes in the year 12-15 category at an international children’s art competition and exhibition held in Japan organised by the Hydrangea Award (Gold) International Exchange Exhibition Narita, Japan.

They are Chamodhi Manujani Mathualla of Gampaha Rathnavali Balika Vidyalaya, Harshan Dilanjana Gunawardana of Colombo D. S. Senanayake Vidyalaya. All these students were trained by the Gampaha J.E.S. International Art School which had produced several winners at past international exhibitions. Their art instructress Jayami Senarathna has also been awarded. Picture by Nimal Jayasingha, Gampaha Roving Correspondent

Art Gallery

Wahida Muhajreen 7B, Sailan International School, Negombo	T. S. Anujana Vidushini Pre-school Vidul College, Moragasmulla	Rishma Fawzer 5C, Sailan International School, Negombo	M. Sarah Jinnah 6B, Sailan International School, Negombo