Colours of courage and hope

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Time is rife to make a sea change of attitude towards children with special needs. The exhibition, above all, proved the fact that with special training the children with special needs are as good as their counterparts or perhaps better than them in certain aspects of life. Denial of citizens’ rights by discrimination on the ground of capabilities is not only a crime against humanity, but also a deprivation of segments of population’s rightful contribution to the economy which directly affects Human Development Index.

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By Ranga Chandrarathne

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True Colours, an exhibition of paintings by students of Chitra Lane School for Special Child offers a multitude of talents displayed. Amazingly, the students with special needs proved that they have also possessed special and perhaps extraordinary talents compared to their counterparts. Students have involved in every aspects of the exhibition from organisation to making exhibits and even recycled papers on which the invitations and placards were made.

In a leafy corner of an apartment in the far end of the Chitra Lane stands the Chitra Lane School for Special Child. Over the years it has grown in stature and reputation for being a premier voluntary organisation dedicated to the education and training of special child for life. True to its goals, the school caters annually to over 2,500 children and young adults from all parts of the island.

The annual exhibition is aimed at showcasing abundant talents of the students who have been trained and are currently in the school.

Significant feature of the exhibition is that material that goes into making it, from exhibits to decorations, have entirely been done by the students.

However, ‘True Colours’ or abilities of a child come out when he or she is at work. If the creator is judged by the workmanships rather than on physical appearances, these children’s creativity is on par with any other child of the same age group and from any part of the globe.

Although these children need special attention, they have proved extremely talented when they have been trained well for life.

Once trained, they are fit for society and it is the responsibility of each and every citizen to recognise these special children as their fellow citizens and integrate them into mainstream society.

The exhibition ‘True Colours’ held last Friday showcased the talents and diverse abilities on the part of the children and the visitors also had the opportunity of witnessing children with special needs turn out creations on the spot.

Action Stations

An important segment of the exhibition was the action stations. Action Stations served as platforms where students of the school were engaged in beehive activities on display.

At one corner, a group of students were making recycled papers and printing on them while at another, a group of enthusiastic students were making stitches and engaged in diverse activities they have learnt at the school and at the Vocational Training Institute.

Like other children, the children with special needs are also at aesthetic pursuits such as drawing and dancing. Another feature at the exhibition was the variety entertainment items presented by the students for the visitors.

Apart from breaking the monotony, the variety entertainment items amply demonstrated the fact that these students are as good as any other child.

Perhaps, on some aspects, they have demonstrated extraordinary aptitude. For instance, a child suffering from autism is much more talented especially in paintings than a so called ordinary child.

Nearly every child of the school had presented a painting which was pasted in the main hall. There were foot prints done by the children while some others were handprints. Designs on stools were another medium through which students expressed their creativity. The stools were painted with colours while the surface was decorated with paintings of animals, flowers and even exquisite patterns.

Another objective of the exhibition was to raise public awareness on the activities of the school. The school should require more and more funding and the help of well wishers in order to maintain the present standards. Well wishers could also volunteer in helping in the day-to-day activities of the school.

“True Colours” would serve as an eye opener to society which often looks down on children with special needs. It is time that such bias attitudes be changed.