By Katherine de Kretser | Project Leader
Dear Prithipura Communities supporter,
We are delighted to present you with our first report via Global Giving to give you an update on the important work at Cotagala School that enables children and young people with disabilities to access appropriate learning opportunities and develop independent living skills.
In the last 3 months, as well as the usual school routine and class activities, there have been many activities and external events that the children and young people in the school have been involved in, that are excellent examples of how the teachers at the school encourage greater inclusion in society, as well as promoting a positive view of disability in the community. Celebrations for International Day of Persons with Disabilities in December included dance performances at two events where around 30 children and young people participated. School students have also visited the local temple for a community celebration. Furthermore, children and young people at the school have also participated in local and national sporting events and the biggest highlight this period was in December, when Rasanjalee travelled to Dubai to participate in the Asian Youth Para Games in 3 events – 400 metres, 1500 metres and the long jump.
“ I love my school and the friends that I have here. I enjoy art work and love travelling to different places in Sri Lanka. I enjoyed spending Christmas at the Infants Home where I first grew up and spent time with my ‘Amma' , Pushpa, who first looked after me when I was born.”
A happy smiley girl, Dinushi, now aged 11, has really bloomed at Cotagala School. Born with a severe physical disability, doctors told her parents that she wouldn’t survive long and advised them to bring her to Prithipura so that she could receive specialist care. Dinushi’s parents found their daughter’s disability particular difficult to get used to due to the fact that there remains massive stigma towards those with disabilites, particularly in rural areas of Sri Lanka. Their extended family rejected her and refused to give them support. So she came to Prithipura, to the Infants Home initially and then to Cotagala School when she was of school age. Against all odds, she thrived and her health has never been better! Her physical disability limits her mobility but she has never let this hold her back. Dinushi has learnt to write by holding a pen in her mouth and also loves to draw and paint. She has won many art competitions with her artistic creations. At present, Dinushi is learning to sew using her mouth. Dinushi participates enthusiastically in dance and sporting activities and her teachers create an environment where she is able to be included in these activities. In January, she was chosen to participate in a national TV show called ‘Sri Lanka’s got talent!’ and we are all looking forward to when the show is aired!
Happily, Dinushi’s mother and father remain in close contact with her. They still face issues with extended family and feel unable to care for her at home at the moment but do their best to support her. The tears that they shed when she was first born have turned to happy and proud smiles when they see all that she has achieved.
Funds raised through Global Giving in December mean that 8 teachers and carers salaries are now funded for 2018. Thanks to all of you who have supported this important cause. Siri, the School Principal wanted to send special thanks to all of you:
“Hard to see at first, our children our like blooming flowers. Our job is not to let them wilt! Your support is like a cool, quiet stream that flows to us, rejuvenating all that we do.”
If you would like to further support our project, you may like to consider setting up a recurring donation. At present, we receive $120 on a monthly basis in recurring donations and we would love to increase this. As you know, to continue providing educational opportunities and skills for independent living, sustainability is key and recurring donations is one of the ways we can secure this. Also, please don’t forget if you are a UK tax payer, you can select to claim Gift Aid and Global Giving will process this on our behalf.
Thank you once again for your support with our work. Please do contact me if you have any comments, feedback or suggestions!
With very best wishes,
Katherine de Kretser
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
