Recognising talent

Diriya Daruwo - uplifting destitute and needy children

by Chanuka Mannapperuma

'A Child's psychology is deep as the depth of a swimming pool' observed Janaki Hill, Director of the 'Diriya Daruwo' at a two day workshop held recently at Matale for the uplift of destitute and needy children.

Janaki Hill, the wife of SriLankan Airlines CEO Peter Hill, who has devoted much of her time towards the betterment of the children said "the hidden talents of children emerge at school level. They could sing, dance, deliver speeches, act and possess good creativity", she claimed.

The students during the workshop displayed their talents with much self-confidence. Janaki stressed, the need to change our system of education to enable children to choose their path without being dictated to follow what was impossible. This workshop will help them to bring out their talents, she expressed.

So far Janaki has been able to take the workshop to Kandy, Ingiriya, Walala, Kurunegala, Galle, N-Eliya, Arakawita and Ratnapura.

Explaining about the workshop she said, "what we do at this work shop is we select school children from different schools at district level and divide them in to five groups, with a mix of both girls and boys. After that we start our activities. From that stage we can see their competition. Another thing is that after the workshop we give prizes and awards to the best student, best group, to encourage them".

She had observed the willingness of children to participate and display talents at these workshops. "Our main objective is to recognise such talent," Janaki noted.

As future plans she said, she hopes to widen the scope of these workshops islandwide. This new concept is to be funded by Sri Lankan Care which is always willing to empower education, health and clean environment.