1st October was International Children’s Day 2011.
MJF Kids together with the Children from Diri Daru Piyasa were entertained to a day of fun, amusement, music and dance coupled with new learnings as well by the MJF Foundation at their own MJF Vocational Training Centre at Moratuwa on 8th October.
110 Kids from the Peliyagoda, Maligawatte and Moratuwa Centres together with 40 of their differently able peers from Diri Daru Piyasa joined together to celebrate this special day dedicated to Children.
The Kids assembled at the MJF Centre at Moratuwa around 9.30 in the morning. After registration and getting into groups Sulochana – the professional puppeteer had a very interesting and educative puppetry session for the Kids. It was an interactive session and the Kids actively participated in the proceeding. Featuring well renowned Sri Lankan comedian characters of yesteryear – “Maha Dena Muththa” and “Pol Be Moona” through puppetry, Sulochana communicated significant messages to the Kids on child rights, respecting elders, importance of education, IT, protecting and conservation of the planet earth for the future etc. Sulochanas presentation was thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated not only by the Kids but by the Guests, organizers and the volunteers as well.
After a short break, the Kids formed them into a mini procession within the MJF Centre to give some salient massages to us Adults. Although it was planned to extend the procession to main highway so as to voice their thoughts to the public, circumstances beyond control prevented the Kids from doing so. Hence the procession was confined to within the MJF Centre complex.
Some of the messages such as “We will be compelled to harvest what you sow today, Hence please don’t sow anything bad”, “Freedom of Children is Parents responsibility”, “Stop abusing women and children”, “Amma (Mother) Please don’t hurt our heart and go abroad for work”, “ Alcohol and smoking kills, Please stop now for our sake”, “We are the future, please don’t abuse us or sell us”, We all should be computer literate – please support us”, “Come and play with us too”, ”We are also stake holders of this society”, Help develop this world to be full of well disciplined, courteous, healthy and intelligent people – guide us and invest on us now”, were food for though to us Adults – parents teachers, policy makers etc., The 2 judges had a tough time in selecting the best 25 messages of the Kids.
It was fun time for the Kids after the lunch break. They had musical games, dance competitions, face painting, marking their presence through palm painting on wall, a magic show and of course the bouncers. All Kids present including the Down Syndrome Kids from Diri Daru Piyasa made optimal use of the opportunities afforded and danced their heart out to the scintillating Sri Lankan rhythms provided by Everlasting Radio.
Manager of the MJF Centre at Moratuwa – Rehana together with the MJFCF team had made excellent arrangements to ensure a fulfilled day for the Kids. The entire Centre was so beautifully and colourfully decorated to make it a fitting and Kids friendly environment for the event. More importantly all those associated with the MJF Centre at Moratuwa – The PEACE and Counseling Centre, MJF Media (Everlasting FM), All at Diri Daru Piyasa, Dilmah Conservation, Students of the MJF / Curtis Computer Graphics Design course, Aunty Yvonne, Christina and many others voluntarily contributed their time and efforts to make the event to what it ultimately turned out to be for the MJF Kids and the Adults too……………….
Supper Job !!!