It all started when Amani Rasmi, (aka the director of Community service, 2018) decided to take a stroll along Tickel road at Borella. A board that read “REACH BEYOND CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER” written in big colorful letters caught her eyes. She walked in and was immediately filled with an unexplainable empathy and compassion, as she saw the extra special, unique set of children going about their day of learning and playing. Their parents patiently waited outside till their children came to them, with eyes of hope and ambition. She entered the office and quickly learned that it was a school that equipped children with various disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Downs’s syndrome, etc. to face the real world with confidence and independence. Her heart was drawn to involve the SSS and contribute to this institute in any possible way.
Eventually, it was decided that a fun-filled day of sports was to be organized for these children to enjoy. Everybody was so excited! The teachers and volunteers at Reach Beyond (RB) admired our initiative as we were the first university to ever collaborate with them. Besides, the first-ever sports day they will ever be experiencing! More than 35 students volunteered to participate and help out with the program though most were unfamiliar with working with such kids. So, we planned on going to Reach beyond once a week and spending time with the children, in groups of 3. Boy oh boy! This was so much fun and much more like a therapy session that helped us recover from our stressful assignments and assessments. We entered the building with fear of not being able to connect with the kids that were socially labeled as “violent and uncontrollable”, only to discover that they are children just like us who are going through challenges that are only a little different from ours.
Many fundraisers such as bake sales and badges, pens were sold. Many generously donated their time and money. Students stayed back till 5, 6 pm to make fancy decorations that the children will be able to enjoy. All our time and effort was focused on one goal: to give these children, our little brothers and sisters the same (in fact, a better) sports day that we had each year at our own schools. They need to be given the opportunities that we were given, to shine and stand out as unique individuals of so much value. There were many obstacles we had to face along the way. Last-minute sports ground bookings cancelations, venue shifts, rain causing a havoc, and the list goes on. But love won!
The day finally came. On the 23rd of October 2019, 8am, sweet little children came into our university premises. Due to the rain on the previous night, the grounds were quite muddy and unsafe for play. So it was decided that the kids will have a fabulous indoor sports day at our University lobby. Following the traditional lighting of the oil lamp was a mini Olympic torch relay. There was a variety of events like throwing the correct colored ball into the basket, filling up a bottle with water, three-legged race with your teacher and a drill display to familiar songs like Baby shark and Wavin’ flag. We dare not forget the bouncy castle that was set up on the porch!
It wasn’t just a day of fun for the kids! A tug-of-war competition between the RB Volunteers and Spectrum students, between the teachers of RB and the parents set the entire atmosphere with roars of mature screams and laughter. The performing arts wing held a mini music session where the kids, parents, teachers and volunteers danced and sang to. The day ended with a handprint mural making and face painting.
There was satisfaction and joy that was never before felt by us. It was one to enjoy ourselves, but it was a whole other feeling to see our little sisters and brothers receive a platform of love, acceptance and boundless nurture. This experience has forever changed our outlook on life and mental health; our ignorance was bound and compassion was set free!
Thank you to all those who were part of it to make it a success. Special thank you to our project chairpersons Amaya Karawgoda and Anjana Kavinda and Community service Vice president, Randila Withanarachchhi.
“The stigma of mental health needs to be broken. It starts with the ordinary children mingling with special needs children and learning to accept and love them for who they are, beginning at a young age. I’m so glad to see the initiative taken by you guys, as students from a university. You guys are able to make a change and break that stigma! Spread awareness! Wishing you all the best.”
Mrs. Tharsiny Markandhu, RB founder.
“Thank you for all the hard work and dedication you all showed in giving a chance to our kids. May this experience give you strength and carry on the change.”
RB team
“My experience with these children got me thinking that there is nothing they can’t do. There needs to be a lot more emphasis on what a child can do instead of what they can’t do. So let’s continue to accept, understand, teach, inspire, support and motivate these talented and creative young minds to be the best version of themselves”
Randila Withanarachchi, Community service Vice president.
“I could without reservation say that today is one of the best days of my life. Thank you so much for the committed attitude that led to today’s event”
Mr. Jayanthan Kulasingham, SIST Chairman
“It was one of the best projects to be done by the SSS, as per my knowledge”
Mrs. Azra Sartaj, lecturer, SIST.
“All the kids here are gifted and they stand way above us. Autism is not a disability, it’s a different ability!”
Adshayan Ganeshamoorthy, SSS President.
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