Sunshine for the differently abled children

Sunshine camp true to its name brings sunshine to the differently abled children. Held every year in August this residential camp fills the hearts of these children with happiness.

In addition to the food and drink they are given an opportunity to show their talents while the organizers the members of Dehiwala YMCA take all pains to ensure that they have two days of fun and dance.

Some donors collect money throughout the year to be given for the expenses of the camp while some not only make the donation but also dedicate these two days to ensure that these campers have the best of everything during these two days of the year.

A total of 300 children from 15 homes and institutions gather at the sunshine camp where they are entertained by singers, film stars as well as with carnivals and sing song sessions. President Dehiwela YMCA Susil Hettiarachchi said that they start organizing by March so that everything is in place by August.

He said the uniqueness of this event is that everything is supported with donations of local individuals and corporates. There is no foreign funding involved. Be it Rs. 100 or more every cent is contributed by the locals who are generous to give.

Normally we gift each one a tee shirt but this time we couldn't do it due to lack of funds.But we ensured that they had two happy days and also as usual we were able to give a gift pack courtesy of Unilevers who as usual came forward with the gift packs for the children.

He said that volunteers leave aside all work and get together to make it a success.

Head of the cooking department P. Nadarajah said that this is his 19th camp and I am so happy to get involved in this whole exercise.

I can never get this happiness even by spending money. He said that he comes with three people while all the others are volunteers. Nadarajah a businessman engaged in the construction trade can be seen moving about instructing or making a dish. For each meal there are about 500 including the volunteers and parents. We make each meal differently as we want to give them variety.

From bed tea to dinner everything is provided including a drink or a cup of soup at 10 am. Asela Fernando owner of Sri Advertising Mount Lavinia a volunteer has been involved with the program for 22 years and he is the compere of all programs encouraging the talents of the children taking part.

We encourage them to show their talents as this helps them to be happy and get away from their normal surroundings.Sirimawathi Perera a 66 year old mother of seven children brings her youngest son Nalaka Priyadharshana Hettiarachchi.

He is a member of the Sunera Group and has travelled overseas with them. Though he finds it difficult to communicate he can dance and draw very well and it was proved when he got through Art at the GCE Ordinary Level Examination.Sakunthala Siriwardena from Werahera has a 17 year old son who is mentally retarded.

He was attending another school earlier but there it was constant agony for me as the teachers used to always speak about his shortcomings.

But once he was moved to Sumaga Training Institute at Mount Lavinia I also feel really good. Sumaga is the only place for mentally retarded persons in Sri Lanka. It is a day school and teaches different vocations.

Once he knew that he was selected to participate at the Sunshine camp two months ago he was overjoyed. From that day onwards he got ready.

He waits for Avurudu eagerly but he was more eager to participate in this camp and I am happy to see him enjoying said the mother. She was really thankful to the organizers for organising such an event to give happiness not only to the children but to us as well.The next time you want to buy something expensive pause and think whether you really need it or whether some cash can be donated to make another persons life happy as we are all born to this world for a cause.

The camp is entirely organized by the youth of Dehiwela YMCA and the Y's Men's Club of Dehiwela.

The first camp was held at Bishops Gate, the present premises of Cinnamon Grand Hotel and then the Camp was shifted to Boys Industrial Home, Wesley College, Deaf and Blind School Ratmalana and finally a decision was taken a few years back to have it at the Dehiwela YMCA premises.