Shining moment of the mentally-challenged
Amalshan GUNERATHNE
Colombo Center for Special Education
 |
|
The Colombo
Center for Special Education team |
* The institute was started way back in 1975
* The institute was formed by Rev Celestine
and Mrs Nora Fernando
* Back then the institute was placed in
Rajagiriya
* It only catered only for two students.
* During 1978 the institute was moved to a
spacious premises in Colpetty
* Currently the institue is placed at in
Havelock Town Colombo
* The institute caters to the needs of those
who suffer from Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autistic and brain
damages
* Currently it caters to the needs of around
30 students
No longer should they lament over the feeling of sheer alienation and
worthlessness. They are no longer the dependent, tormented, hapless
souls which they once were. They have a point to prove and that they
will do. With canvases drawn from their nimble hands and artworks
crafted with their lively hearts, they will showcase that they too have
what it takes to be self-reliant, independent and self-sufficient. They
are a happy bunch and with such joyous thoughts in heart they will
showcase their true-self at the ‘Expressions 2011’ art and craft
exhibition which will unravel tomorrow at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery.
The exhibition will showcase the art and hand works of the students
from the Colombo Center for special Education. As it says in their
motto, the mission of the institute is “to provide a haven for those who
are otherwise able and provide them with skills that engender self
reliance and independence.”
The Chief Guest for the exhibition is Bishop Dhiloraj and
Canagasabey. Starting at 9 am, the exhibition will go on till 7 pm in
the evening. The exhibition will showcase creative paintings,
serviettes, wrapping paper, greeting cards, notepads and other wooden
crafts made by the students. Speaking to the Artscope, the director of
the institute, Charika Muttiah, said: “All of those students are
mentally challenged. Some of them suffer from Down Syndrome Disease,
some are autistic and some have suffered from brain damage. The purpose
of the exhibition is to create awareness among people that there are
people like this who are very much capable of contributing to the public
in one way or the other.”
The exhibition is also a fund raiser for the institute. “We run the
institute mainly through private donations and sometimes that alone is
not enough. And through the exhibition we also want to encourage others
to open such institutes all over the country.
Almost 10 percent of the population is either mentally or physically
challenged. We need to make sure that we shed light in to their lives
and make them happy that is the whole point of organizing the
exhibition. We have been organizing the event annually and on that
particular day they feel important. It brings a sense of self worth to
them. They need to be accepted by the society,” she explained.
Colombo Center for Special Education shelters for around thirty
mentally challenged students. All the students are above the age of
eighteen. “Most times till the age of eighteen, schools and institutes
provide shelter for such students, but they need the same affection and
care levels even after they grow old,” Charika noted.
The institute provides them with necessary interactive activities
which help them to keep a very refreshed mind. The activities include,
weekly tennis sessions, cricket sessions, musical sessions, dancing
sessions, carpentry, rug making, painting, recycling, etc.
They also provide the students with speech therapy, occupational
therapy and physical training. |
