A commendable gesture by a young child gesture by a young child

by Husna Inayathullah

Dhiren Fernando, 8, of British School, Colombo has come forward to raise a year’s funding necessary for a special program for the Development of English as a second language in the Primary School of Ananda College, which has been running for the past three years at Ananda College, Colombo. The program is run under the specific guidance of the British Council in Colombo, which developed the curriculum and evaluates the progress periodically.

Dhiren Fernando has compiled a beautiful poetry book, and all donations and the entire proceeds from the publication will be donated to the Language Development Fund of the Primary School. The book launch will be held at Ananda College Kularatne Hall on June 30, at 5.30 pm. A gesture such as this, is very rare to come by in a young child. Dhiren says he hopes to become a poet, an author or a musician, one day.

Teaching activities related to the program are carried out in a purpose built language laboratory and the work performed to a high standard, to the utmost benefit of the students. The cost incurred for the program amounts to nearly Rs One million per annum, and has been managed by the Old Anandians Centenary Group (OACG) through its OACG Language Development Fund, with the donations of old Anandians and well-wishers through periodic fund-raising programs.

Speaking to the Sunday Observer, Dhiren said, he is happy to launch his first book of poetry of dragons, nightingales and other tales and publish it in aid of the Ananda College English Language Developmet Fund.

“I love words, rhymes and rhythms. This is a collection of poems I wrote at school, the British School in Colombo, at home and while travelling. Sometimes, I write rapidly and other times I wait until inspiration strikes. I always feel very poetic when I am linked to nature, near lakes, in forests, or lolling on meadows. Sometimes, I wallow in my thoughts, then remember, re-read or replay something that I had already read or watched, then I get an idea and write. I am very thankful for the immense support I get from my parents and my teacher Ms. Poojanie Gunawardena,” he said.