Royal porridge goes down well

By Dhaneshi Yatawara

Medical experts in Sri Lanka have pointed out that obesity among schoolchildren has been on the increase during the past few years and the Western Province is the most affected. Although obesity was previously thought to be prevalent in Western countries especially among the rich and affluent families, the number of obese children in developing countries is increasing steadily, even among the not so well-to-do families.

Students of the primary division enjoying the porridge

At the porridge counter

Fast food and soft drinks have become easy tools for children to win the rat race. The food items contain a plenty of artificial agents like taste enhancers, emulsifiers, colouring and preservatives and added sugar and salt, and high fat and carbohydrate contents which make growing-up children, sick adults.

Principal Upali Gunasekara

P.A.P. Damayanthi

Today any family, even with a marginal income, has a television. Video games and shows have become popular for children, even from their tender ages.

Even to feed a toddler parents use the TV and video shows. Watching too much TV, hours spent playing computer and video games, and sleeping longer hours contribute to the slow burning of calories and eventual addition of fat to your body. A recent survey carried out in Sri Lanka revealed that only 9.2% of the children in the sample were physically active on most days of a week.

As a solution the health authorities stress the need for habitual changes in children especially those in the schooling age and a nutritional-rich healthy diet. Lists of healthy food were sent to the parents and children to follow while school canteens were strictly instructed to sell only nutritious food.

In such a background a leading school in the country, Royal College, introduced traditional food for the students. Today the 'kenda' made at Royal College has captured the attention of the entire country. At present over 1,000 cups of 'kenda' is in demand in the college.

"To me, the miracle is that these children who were so attracted to hamburgers, hotdogs, smoothies and soft drinks replaced them all their with this cup of porridge," said the principal Upali Gunasekara. If not for principal Gunasekara's efforts the goodwill project would not have been a success. Today it has become an essential feature of the children and the teachers of the school.

"We see a drastic change in the children today. Their enthusiasm to education and their vibrant approach to everyday activities has been all positive," he said.

The porridge is not just another 'Kolakenda'. It is an unique Ayurveda mixture of four types of native rice along with another herbal mix. "This is entirely a time-tested ayurvedic mixture that had been in use. We consulted medical experts on the medicinal and nutritional value before giving it to the children," said teacher-in-charge P.A.P. Damayanthi. Setting an example principal Gunasekara and Damayanthi teacher have changed their lifestyles. "I am a member of the 'Hela Suwaya' Organisation and our members are doing everything to bring in healthy food to Sri Lankan communities. With the principal's approval I tried to introduce healthy eating habits among my colleagues and students," said Damayanthi, a teacher.

The effort made about a year ago has become almost an enterprise today. Four to five people are working with a sense of dedication along with Damayanthi teacher who leaves home around 3.30 a.m. "The team meditates a few minutes before making the porridge and while making it we all pray that this will bring good health to those who drink it, she said.

The four types of native rice - kaluheenati, madathawalu, kahawanu and pachchaperumal had not been within the reach of Sri Lankans for many years and due to the efforts by the members of 'Hela Suwaya" the consumption is on the increase. Another mixture is added which includes garlic, red onions, pepper, rampe, curry leaves, thebu , neeramulliya, hathavariya, welpenela, Iriweriya, gotukola, Iramusu (a variety of herbal leaves), leaves of Passion fruit and raddish, 'Sathakuppa', green gram, chickpeas, mustard, ladies fingers, bees honey and ghee.

All these ingredients are collected by members of the 'Hela Suwaya' who live a mentally and physically advanced life. Farmers who are working with the organisation provide all these which according to Damayanthi are purchased and some are donated. "We bring pepper grown in Kotmale, leaves such as kowakka and iramusu are brought from Thissamaharama,' according to Damayanthi.

This porridge has been a life changer.

"It cured gastritis and migraine, I was suffering for 10 years," said Renuka Widyarathne, another teacher of Royal College. She teaches Geography and Sinhala to the middle school and her ailments had been a drawback to her career.

" Though I do exercises every day like going for a brisk walk, I had difficulties in climbing stairs. As Damayanthi brought in this new product I tried it simply because it was good for anyone's health. Within a month and a half I felt a big change.

The gastritis and migraine and the pain in the joints ceased. Most of our colleagues specially in their middle age found that this over came many of their health problems," she said.

People and children are willing to practise these healthy habits.

If this change was possible in a Colombo 7 college where burger and fast food outlets are round the corner and where luxury living is prominent, there could be no difficulty in introducing them to any part of the country.