To commemorate International Children’s Day, the MJF Charitable Foundation held its annual Leadership Camp for the 3rd consecutive year for 78 children of the MJF Kids programme, representing the Peliyagoda, Maligawatte, Moratuwa, Pallansena and Siyambalanduwa MJF Kids Centers.

The programme provided an opportunity for the kids to individually experience the elements of team work, self assessment, assessment of team member strengths and weaknesses, planning and implementation, time management skills, achieving goals, record keeping and documentation etc.

The kids were divided into groups where they were given different tasks and teamwork through which they learnt the importance of unity and trusting one another. These children who live dark and deprived lives, whose childhoods are destroyed by the environment they live in, were able to look at life in a new positive angle. Since the programme helped them build up their self confidence and made them realize their potential and capabilities, and most importantly the acceptance of victory and defeat, these children can now excel in their school education and look forward for a dignified future.

It was a valuable opportunity for some children who have never left their villages, to explore and experience the excitement of travelling from their village to the city, to meet new friends and share their ideas while being a part of this eventful camp.

The children stated that they were able to identify their strengths, their talents and most importantly they were able to build up leadership qualities through self confidence. A few of the children from Siyambalanduwa stated that this was the first time they travelled out of their village and that they are extremely grateful to the organizers for making them a part of this camp. The Leadership Camp culminated with a camp fire and a fancy dress parade followed by dinner. The children parted with their new friends in tears while taking back fond memories and a wealth of knowledge to take them forward in life.

The MJF Foundation, the charitable arm of Dilmah, set up ‘MJF Kids’ for the underprivileged children of the nearby slums with the objective of providing these children with education, life skills training and a general exposure of progressive alternatives outside of their own limited and often dreadful life-experiences. As a consequence they will be equipped to step outside of their existing environs and establish a better quality of life for themselves and their families, one day. The underprivileged children of the war affected areas in the North of Sri Lanka who have been victims of the adverse effects of the war are also being benefited through the MJF Kids centre in Jaffna, which helps to rehabilitate themselves and to identify their hidden capabilities.

Today more than 600 children form the MJF Kids and are exposed to a life of possibilities. The children gather a few times each week at the MJF premises and are guided by caring teachers in arts, crafts, sewing and IT, and are assisted in their school curriculum such as in English, Science and Mathematics. The children also undergo character-building exercise and group activities.

In line with the International Children’s Day, The MJF Charitable Foundation will carry out several other programmes throughout the month of October.  A special children’s event will be held on the 8th of October at the Moratuwa center, filled with games, puppet shows and competitions.

A medical screening programme is scheduled to be held on the 13th of October which would result in handing out a comprehensive medical report of 35 Down Syndrome Children and 55 Children from the MJF Kids programme. The parents and guardians of these children have not had the opportunity to maintain accurate medical records from their birth due to poor living conditions, financial difficulties, lack of education and lack of knowledge of the importance of keeping such medical records. However the MJF Foundation have understood the need of keeping a comprehensive medical record of these children and hence initiated the first ever medical screening programme which would enhance the health benefits for these children.

The Foundation also wish to hold an event in the North East which would involve the children of the war affected areas and give them an opportunity to celebrate International Children’s Day reminding them the joys and happiness of being children and the future of our country.