Hidden talents showcased

Kids Art Corner at Kala Pola 2015:

by Husna Inayathullah

"Your child is capable of things no one can predict" - Natan Gendelman

Dr. Gopi Kitnasamy, Founder and Chairman of the Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation (CPLF) said, "As most of these children cannot hold a paint brush in their hands and can't coordinate their movements, these paintings were done using their fingers and palms, with sponges, tapes, gloves and blowing through straw and splashing the paint." It is a great occasion for them to showcase their talent.

"We will be making a desk calendar with these paintings. The main objective behind this noble initiative is to encourage their active participation and integration into the community which will pave the way towards "Inclusiveness," he said.

"The Dream" is the resource centre of the Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation (CPLF) started to provide special education and therapy (Physio, Speech and Occupational) for children with cerebral palsy in Sri Lanka. At present, we have two centres one in Wattala and another in Moratuwa and will soon start the centre in the Nugegoda area. The mission of CPLF is to start at least one such centre in every district of Sri Lanka to help these children in their localities.

Kala Pola, the annual open air art fair organised by the George Keyt Foundation and John Keells Holdings PLC took place along the sidewalks of Nelum Pokuna Mawatha recently. This was the 22nd Anniversary of Kala Pola and John Keells Group has supported the event for 21 consecutive years.

Kala Pola 2015 saw nearly 300 local artists exhibiting their art and sculpture and a visitor turnout of more than 20,000. The 'Kids Art Corner' was one of the highlights of the event where children under 14 could draw and walk away with a certificate and a gift pack courtesy of Elephant House which is a subsidiary of the John Keells Group. Children from the "Cerebral palsy Lanka Foundation" also took part in the Kids Art Corner.

To look at the children with celebral palsy draw and paint was really terrific. They had so much of talent and skill in them. They were so enthusiastic and lively. The smiles on their faces meant a lot to us. They were capable of doing things similar to the normal children. The encouragement and motivation which was given by the teachers and the guidance of the artists was great.

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is the term used for a group of non-progressive disorders of movement and posture caused by abnormal development of, or damage to, motor control centres of the brain. CP is caused by events before, during, or after birth. It is the most common physical disability in childhood.

Despite substantial improvement in obstetric and neonatal care, the worldwide prevalence of cerebral palsy has remained stable at 2 to 3 per 1,000 live births for more than 40 years. Cerebral Palsy remains a significant health problem. The number of people affected by Cerebral Palsy has increased over time. Almost 17 million people around the world have Cerebral Palsy and in Sri Lanka, there is an estimated number of 40,000 children and adults with Cerebral Palsy. There are many undetected cases.

Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation (CPLF) is the organisation for children with Cerebral Palsy in Sri Lanka. It was started with an objective to provide educational and therapeutic services for children with Cerebral Palsy and associated movement disorders. It was started on October 6, 2011 at Captain Kelum Rajapakse Mawatha, Wattala.

Dr. Kitnasamy said, "Thanks go to George Keyt Foundation and John Keells Foundation for helping these wonderful artists in Sri Lanka by organising this great event.

We are very grateful that on the request of Cerebral Palsy Lanka Foundation (CPLF), they gave this wonderful opportunity to exhibit the artwork done by children with Cerebral Palsy from "The Dream" Centre for children with Cerebral Palsy.

He further said that the children exhibited a total of 12 paintings with the theme "Inclusiveness".These paintings are the result of group work by the 23 students at The Dream centre with the help of the teachers under the guidance of artist Priyantha Nandana.