01.06.2010

The annual MJF Kids Vesak Lantern Competition was held on the 22nd of May at the MJF Kids Centre in Peliyagoda. This was the fourth consecutive year this competition was held.

The annual MJF Kids Vesak Lantern Competition was held on the 22nd of May at the MJF Kids Centre in Peliyagoda. This was the fourth consecutive year this competition was held and saw over 80 children divided into 8 teams where each team had to create a Vesak lantern of a bird or animal related to Buddhism such as the snake, peacock, elephant, horse etc. The creations were diverse and the children had put in a lot of time and effort into each of their lanterns.

The Vesak lanterns were judged on their general appearance, significance, aesthetic sense and attention to detail. What was significant about this year’s competition was the fact that it was held amidst very challenging circumstances for all the children. The heavy rains that have been affecting several districts of Sri Lanka had a great impact on these children as almost 95% of them were directly affected by these floods. Most of their homes have been partially or completely submerged by water and some of their homes have been washed away. Yet they insisted on having this competition and worked hard to complete their respective Vesak lanterns. At the competition Kasun, the team leader of the group, made a speech where he emphasised the importance of this competition as it stood as a sign of hope for them even amidst very trying circumstances. He stated,

“In the midst of all these difficulties we held the Vesak Lantern Competition. We worked together in our teams. Even when the government postponed national events because of the weather we did not cancel this event and undertook it as a challenge and I am happy to say that we were able to conduct it very successfully.”

The team Rose emerged winners and the runners up were team Nelum and team Manel. Dilhan C. Fernando and his wife Serena distributed the prizes. 

The MJF Kids Child Development programme for 120 urban slum children living in the vicinity of the MJF Group premises in Sri Lanka aims to inspire hope and realise the potential in urban slum children despite their hopeless situation. These children gather almost daily at one of two MJF Kids centres for guidance by caring teachers in art, craft, leadership and vocational training and are also assisted in their school curriculum. The children receive training in essential life skills and are provided much needed psycho-social support. Through the Voice of the MJF Kids news magazine the children are given the opportunity to make their opinions count on subjects such as ethnic harmony and the environment, and to share their creativity with people around the world.

At the recently concluded GCE Ordinary Level Examination many of the MJF Kids who sat for the exam showed considerable improvement in the subjects they sat for. They attribute this to the MJF Kids Programme which provides them the necessary support to excel in their studies. Events such as the Vesak Lantern Competition also help provide these children with an opportunity to be creative and allow their artistic talents come to the fore, while also teaching them to take initiative and execute tasks assigned to them.

This year, even though the horizon was bleak, the light of the Vesak lanterns helped bring new hope and inspiration to the children of the MJF Kids programme.