Narthana Pooja at Bishop's College

Seventeen-year-old Danangi Fernando will take to the stage on November 5 to mesmerise her audience at her solo dance concert Narthana Pooja.

Fernando, a differently abled child born with Down Syndrome is a student of the Diri Daru Piyasa she will entertain the audience with a wide range of dance items from traditional Kandyan and Bharatha dancing to modern fusion dances.

Dancing since the tender age of six, Fernando who is a student of Kala Guru Miranda Hemalatha, has presented dance concerts in the past as well. Her first solo dance performance was at the age of 11, under her guru's guidance.

Since then, Fernando has gone on to stage two more performances, donating over 1.3 million towards the Diri Daru Piyasa, the organisation set up by Kala Guru Miranda Hemalatha for the development of differently abled children.

Fernando's concerts not only thrill her audience, but also carry the powerful message to all parents and families of differently abled children, that with proper training and perseverance, they can nurture their inborn abilities and talents.

Training centre

All funds raised at this year's Narthana Pooja will be used to complete the vocational training centre and hostel currently under construction at Kindelpitiya, Bandaragama.

The increasing number of students, most of whom follow classes free due to financial constraints has created the need for expanding the present vocational centre. The complex is dedicated towards the development of children born with Down Syndrome.

Children born with Down syndrome are not handicapped but gifted in many ways.

However, the day-to-day tasks many take for granted, pose a great challenge to many of these children. Systematic training and guidance from an early age would enable these children to grow up to become independent and confident citizens attaining this goal, a permanent institution where special children could be taught music, dancing and other vocational training would be instrumental.

The successful conclusion of the first stage of the project saw the completion of the first storey of the hostel complex with eight rooms with facilities.

As the second stage construction of the vocational centre has now commenced, which on completion will house several classrooms and facilities to train and teach the many children who currently attend sessions at the institution.

Social skills

The centre will commence programs that help these children learn and advance intellectually whilst developing their social skills which would help them integrate into society.

The variety of programs comprising simple household chores and vocational skills conducted here range from agriculture, animal husbandry, handicrafts, making mats, greeting cards, simple carpentry arts, dancing, music, sewing, cookery and flower arrangements.

The centre works towards identifying differently abled children's inborn abilities and working towards enhancing and fine-turning them.

The emphasis remains on providing a method of livelihood for these children, and ensuring that they have an activity that keeps them occupied while helping them become truly independent citizens in society.

Narthana Pooja will go on the boards on November 5 at the Bishop's College Auditorium at 6 p.m.