Talent beyond barriers
Nipuni Wimalapala
She is exceptionally talented, elegant and excellent in dancing. She
keeps her rhythmic steps to music in a gorgeous way. Danangi Fernando
possesses a number of talents despite being born Down Syndrome.
Danangi’s third solo dance recital, Narthana Rekha 3, was held
successfully at Bishop’s College Auditorium under the patronage of First
Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa. Danangi performed extremely well, she could
keep everyone’s eyes on her throughout the evening. She continuously
performed many dancing items. She had a different and fresh look in each
item. Some of her friends also joined her in some dancing items. Nirmal
was another wonderful dancer who gave an immense support to Danangi to
make the dancing show more colourful.
Addressing the gathering, Miranda Hemalatha stated:
 |
|
Danangi |
“I am dedicated to this good work and my request is to help us
improve the conditions of the children. We teach them letters and sums
through which they could communicate well. We especially focus on
aesthetic activities such as music, dancing and art which help develop
their brains. Our main target is to make them involve in an occupation
such as carpentry, sewing, drawing and painting. This effort is to
collect funds to upgrade the facilities of disabled children of Diri
Daru Piyasa. I kindly ask everyone to change your attitude towards these
children and help them out to be independent.”
Well known educationist Mohan Lal Grero and his wife too graced the
event. Grero stated that this child is an example for others.
“Sometimes even normal children are not working hard to improve their
talents, but this child perfectly follows guidance given by her
teachers.” Navy Commander Vice Admiral D.W.S. Dissanayake, Prof
Jayasinghe M T R and Prof Chintha Jayasinghe of Civil Engineering
Department, University of Moratuwa, also participated in the event.
Danangi is a 13-year old disabled child who studies at Lyceum
international School and Diri Daru Piyasa of Miranda Hemalatha. Danangi
has been trained as a dancer in a perfect manner. Hemalatha has created
all the creative colourful choreography without which the concert would
have been dull. She was the first disabled child to be admitted to
Lyceum which has now started a separate special needs unit for disabled
students. She studies there in grade 9 partly with normal students which
helps improve her communication skills. She takes part in dancing,
gymnastics, guiding and netball in Lyceum and is actively involved in
most of the school activities such as sports meets, Bakthi Gee and
Christmas carols.
The show was staged basically in aid of building a new hostel in Diri
Daru Piyasa for the disabled children to continue their vocational
training. Danangi’s effort is highly precious since it brings
contribution towards this worthy cause. The school, once operational, is
expected to provide free education and vocational training for needy
children in addition to serving all segments of the society providing
vocational skills and teaching these children to be independent to any
disabled child without discrimination of age and race.
Diri Daru Piyasa provides a lot of things to make these children good
and independent citizens. Teachers are highly dedicated to their duty
and try hard to develop the skills of the disabled children.
|
