CPArts Activities in October -November 2007

CPArts Tsunami related Activities
Though the Tsunami disaster took us all by surprise, most of our people rose to the occasion as soon as the extent and gravity of the calamity became known. CPArts Teams too, scattered over twenty towns and cities in Sri Lanka, got into action on the evening of 26 December.

Relief Action took two forms: In some areas like Jaffna, Trinco, Batticaloa, Panadura and Hambatota, CPArts Teams did the work on their own. They collected items such as food, clothing, cooking utensils, mats and mattresses and handed them over to the people badly affected by the disaster. In some places, CPArts Teams were the first ones to reach the victims. In other areas like Ilavalai, Vavuniya and Mannar CPArts youths joined other organizations such as the Red Cross and the UNICEF to do the relief work. CPArts youths from Batticaloa, Trinco, Alampil, Ratnapura and Matara, among others, were helping the local people to recover the dead bodies and bury/burn them.

At the moment, CPArts Teams in all the twenty Centres/Units are involved in psycho-social therapy combining it with peace work. It should be mentioned that most of the youth involved in this therapy had at least basic training given by psychologists and specialists involved in counseling. For example Professor Janet LeValley of the American National College who has a good reputation in Sri Lanka held a one day seminar in Jaffna for those CPArts youths already involved in this work. This was organized by Sri Lanka Rotary.

Visiting Camps and listening to the victims who are traumatized

Though these visits have children and youths as targets, women and elderly people were also included as far as possible. Though this was done on a daily/regular basis initially, Jaffna CPArts Team is doing this only once a week since the participants are either employed or University students. In Batticaloa and Trinco, CPArts Teams are doing it almost daily. Usually about three to six hours are spent in the camps or in areas where the victims are staying. CPArts has also supplied books and compasses for school children. Other urgent items were also supplied by CPArts according to needs without disturbing the general set-up.

Bhajan Service

Since religion plays a vital role in the lives of Sri Lankans, most of them take comfort in prayer and hymns when they are visited by calamities. CPArts Teams conduct common prayer service in order to show their solidarity and also to give them hope for the future. For example, Jaffna CPArts Team visited Mullaitivu, a city destroyed beyond recognition and conducted a prayer service at the ruins of a Catholic Church. Colombo CPArts Team visited a camp in Trincomalee and conducted a prayer service which included Hindu, Christian, Buddhist and Muslim prayers and hymns. Matara and Galle CPArts Teams conduct Buddhist prayer service led by a venerable Buddhist monk when they visit the camps in those areas.

Games Therapy

Usually, during each camp visit, some members of the CPArts Team befriend the children and start playing simple games with them. Balls, bats and items for indoor games are supplied by CPArts. Children get so much interested in the games and the support given by the Team that they request the Team members to stay overnight. An example of entertainment: The Colombo CPArts Team took a non-professional magician with them when they visited camps in Trincomalee. The magic show attracted a large crowd and helped victims forget their plight for a few hours.

Art Therapy

Children are encouraged to sketch, draw or paint pictures that come to their mind. Papers, colour pencils and erasers are supplied by CPArts. CPArts hopes to hold Tsunami exhibitions in various parts of the Island.

Inter-cultural visits. The CPArts is making use of its vast network to forge bonds of solidarity among groups from all ethnic communities. CPArts Teams from the North and the East visit their counterparts in the South, and vice versa, and all together pay visits to camps. Usually this occurs on week-ends. For example, Panadura and Avissawella CPArts visited the Trinco CPArts, and during visits to two camps, performed Sinhala dances. Mannar CPArts visited Matara CPArts, and visited three camps in Matara; and they were joined by Galle CPArts. During the same week-end, Polonnaruwa CPArts visited Trinco CPArts and together visited one camp and performed dances and other cultural items.

Poster Therapy

CPArts is the first organization that used posters to impart the message of hope and courage to those affected by the catastrophe. These were displayed in and around camps. The response was so good, that there is a demand for more posters.

Theatre Therapy

CPArts Teams are already using theatre as therapy tool. The plays are designed in such a way that they give hope and joy and encourage the on-lookers to become normal (to extricate themselves from trauma). A few Street Plays are being prepared in different Centres. Rehearsals are also taking place for Passion Plays which have been written to address the suffering caused by Tsunami. In Alampil, for example, a number of Tsunami victims are taking part. The Alampil group will then perform at Iranaippalai, about 28 kilometres away from Alampil. It is expected that more than 25 thousand people will be present on the day of the performance (12 March). In Jaffna, a Passion Play will be staged from 14 March till 20th (16th excepted). About 250 youths will take part in this performance.

Seminars and Workshops

Since the beginning of January a number of seminars and workshops have been held for the Coordinators, Animators and Women to help them coordinate their work to suit the need of the hour. A five-day Training Session was also given to 32 CPArts Youths on how to use theatre as therapy. More are being planned for the future.

It may be interesting to note that in certain areas like Trinco and Batticaloa CPArts is coordinating its activities with UNICEF. In fact, both these Teams are working in all the districts of Trinco and Batticaloa. In Jaffna, too, CPArts is preparing a Street Play at the request of a subsidiary of UNICEF.

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Report by CPArts Team

		*Summary Report*




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	CPArts Tsunami related Activities Though the Tsunami disaster took us all by surprise, most of our people rose to the occasion as soon as the extent and gravity of the calamity became known. CPArts Teams too, scattered over twenty towns and cities in Sri Lanka, got into action on the evening of 26 December. Relief Action took two forms: In some areas like Jaffna, Trinco, Batticaloa, Panadura and Hambatota, CPArts Teams did the work on their own. They collected items such as food, clothing, cooking utensils, mats and mattresses and handed them over to the people badly affected by the disaster. In some places, CPArts Teams were the first ones to reach the victims. In other areas like Ilavalai, Vavuniya and Mannar CPArts youths joined other organizations such as the Red Cross and the UNICEF to do the relief work. CPArts youths from Batticaloa, Trinco, Alampil, Ratnapura and Matara, among others, were helping the local people to recover the dead bodies and bury/burn them. At the moment, CPArts Teams in all the twenty Centres/Units are involved in psycho-social therapy combining it with peace work. It should be mentioned that most of the youth involved in this therapy had at least basic training given by psychologists and specialists involved in counseling. For example Professor Janet LeValley of the American National College who has a good reputation in Sri Lanka held a one day seminar in Jaffna for those CPArts youths already involved in this work. This was organized by Sri Lanka Rotary. Visiting Camps and listening to the victims who are traumatized Though these visits have children and youths as targets, women and elderly people were also included as far as possible. Though this was done on a daily/regular basis initially, Jaffna CPArts Team is doing this only once a week since the participants are either employed or University students. In Batticaloa and Trinco, CPArts Teams are doing it almost daily. Usually about three to six hours are spent in the camps or in areas where the victims are staying. CPArts has also supplied books and compasses for school children. Other urgent items were also supplied by CPArts according to needs without disturbing the general set-up. Bhajan Service Since religion plays a vital role in the lives of Sri Lankans, most of them take comfort in prayer and hymns when they are visited by calamities. CPArts Teams conduct common prayer service in order to show their solidarity and also to give them hope for the future. For example, Jaffna CPArts Team visited Mullaitivu, a city destroyed beyond recognition and conducted a prayer service at the ruins of a Catholic Church. Colombo CPArts Team visited a camp in Trincomalee and conducted a prayer service which included Hindu, Christian, Buddhist and Muslim prayers and hymns. Matara and Galle CPArts Teams conduct Buddhist prayer service led by a venerable Buddhist monk when they visit the camps in those areas. Games Therapy Usually, during each camp visit, some members of the CPArts Team befriend the children and start playing simple games with them. Balls, bats and items for indoor games are supplied by CPArts. Children get so much interested in the games and the support given by the Team that they request the Team members to stay overnight. An example of entertainment: The Colombo CPArts Team took a non-professional magician with them when they visited camps in Trincomalee. The magic show attracted a large crowd and helped victims forget their plight for a few hours. Art Therapy Children are encouraged to sketch, draw or paint pictures that come to their mind. Papers, colour pencils and erasers are supplied by CPArts. CPArts hopes to hold Tsunami exhibitions in various parts of the Island. Inter-cultural visits. The CPArts is making use of its vast network to forge bonds of solidarity among groups from all ethnic communities. CPArts Teams from the North and the East visit their counterparts in the South, and vice versa, and all together pay visits to camps. Usually this occurs on week-ends. For example, Panadura and Avissawella CPArts visited the Trinco CPArts, and during visits to two camps, performed Sinhala dances. Mannar CPArts visited Matara CPArts, and visited three camps in Matara; and they were joined by Galle CPArts. During the same week-end, Polonnaruwa CPArts visited Trinco CPArts and together visited one camp and performed dances and other cultural items. Poster Therapy CPArts is the first organization that used posters to impart the message of hope and courage to those affected by the catastrophe. These were displayed in and around camps. The response was so good, that there is a demand for more posters. Theatre Therapy CPArts Teams are already using theatre as therapy tool. The plays are designed in such a way that they give hope and joy and encourage the on-lookers to become normal (to extricate themselves from trauma). A few Street Plays are being prepared in different Centres. Rehearsals are also taking place for Passion Plays which have been written to address the suffering caused by Tsunami. In Alampil, for example, a number of Tsunami victims are taking part. The Alampil group will then perform at Iranaippalai, about 28 kilometres away from Alampil. It is expected that more than 25 thousand people will be present on the day of the performance (12 March). In Jaffna, a Passion Play will be staged from 14 March till 20th (16th excepted). About 250 youths will take part in this performance. Seminars and Workshops Since the beginning of January a number of seminars and workshops have been held for the Coordinators, Animators and Women to help them coordinate their work to suit the need of the hour. A five-day Training Session was also given to 32 CPArts Youths on how to use theatre as therapy. More are being planned for the future. It may be interesting to note that in certain areas like Trinco and Batticaloa CPArts is coordinating its activities with UNICEF. In fact, both these Teams are working in all the districts of Trinco and Batticaloa. In Jaffna, too, CPArts is preparing a Street Play at the request of a subsidiary of UNICEF. BACK Report by CPArts Team