Disability, no bar to learning
Nipuni WIMALAPALA
‘We can do anything’ is what they believe. Children with Down
Syndrome are very playful and mischievous, possessing a lot of talents.
Their disability lies in learning, which is slower. They learn to walk,
talk and eat in a snail’s pace. But they have a wide range of abilities
and talents. Every child develops at his or her own particular pace. So
they can go to special schools where they can learn, make friends and
enjoy life. Getting special help often when they are small can be the
key to make them happy, healthier and more independent lives.
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Performances by the students |
Diri Daru Piyasa is a place where these children get special support
to enjoy life. They learn many things which enable them to look after
themselves. Diri Daru Piyasa founder Miranda Hemalatha works hard to
make these children good citizens. She is dedicated to work and spends
most of her time with them. She believes that it is possible to make
these children do their own work themselves without being a trouble to
others. A dancing programme of children from Diri Daru Piyasa was held
recently to develop their performing skills. They hold it once in every
four months. Every child gets the chance to perform in the stage and
they do really love to see people clapping and cheering for them. They
become more courageous and strong by this type of inspiration. The event
was a total success. People enjoyed it well and the institute received a
lot of funds through it.
“We work to develop these children’s abilities through many
activities. Our main focus is to develop their body language, speech
abilities, aesthetic abilities and their basic mathematics and writing
abilities. Our ultimate aim is to make these children more independent
by occupying them in a certain work,” Hemalatha mentioned.
“We get support from many people, especially those who love social
service. And also the government plays a vital role in this process.
They provide us whatever we have requested. Moratuwa District
Secretariat helps us a lot to uplift our work. They recently promised to
give us sewing machines, computers and wheelchairs. Social Service
Department also carries a number of programmes to help these children.
We have discussed and decided to start a student exchange programme with
the institutes conducted by Social Service Department. Our main focus is
to exchange our facilities, knowledge, training, observation and
evaluation with them. There are some training centres initiated by the
Social Service Department and we hope to exchange knowledge with them.
Besides, there are many Social Service programmes done by the government
about which people are not much aware of.” Hemalatha emphasised.
 Diri Daru Piyasa is a real home for these children where they are
supposed to learn basics and essential things like how to write name,
address, contact number and to read a board. These things keep them from
being lost in somewhere.
These children are very lovable, mischievous and interested in
dancing, music and art. The teachers always try to develop their
aesthetic skills and creative areas. The other main focus is to make
these children involve in the vocational training programme. Through
this programme, they hope to make them excel in a certain field. It
could be sewing, knitting, fabric painting, carpentry or masonry.
“However our target is to develop these children to become more
socialised and to be independent without being a trouble to others. It
will help them to be useful citizens and even an asset to their own
families,” Hemalatha noted.
Children with Down Syndrome must be encouraged in a sensitive manner.
It will lead them to a healthy, happy and independent life. |
