CPArts Activities in April 2005

Formation/Education-oriented activities for children, youth and women such as meetings, get togethers, workshops, peace studies and classes in the Fine Arts took place on all weekends (sometimes during the week in addition) in all CPArts Centres (Avissawella, Anurhadapura, Batticaloa, Colombo, Galle, Hambantota, Haputale, Ilavalai, Jaffna, Kandy, Mannar, Matara, Monaragala, Panadura, Puttalam, Polonnaruwa, Ratnapura, Trincomalee, Vanni, Vavuniya).

The following, however, were special activities:

Distribution of donated sports items and drawing materials for Tsunami Camps in Hambantota, Batticaloa and Matara

1st & 2nd April 2005

Funds were donated by Foerderkreis of Germany to buy sports items and drawing materials to Tsunami affected children and youth in Hambantota, Batticaloa and Matara. In Hambantota and Matara on Southern coast of Sri Lanka, the people who were affected by the Tsunami were mainly fishermen and carpenters. They are now housed in temporary camps at Kirinda Godahena and Hittatiya Rajama Viharaya.

In Batticaloa on the eastern coast, the Tsunami Camps at Kathiraweli and Manngeni house victims affected by both the civil war and Tsunami. They are 70km away from Batticaloa and are in un-cleared isolated area.

Children used our sports items like bats, balls etc to play games and as a result they had sound sleep at night unlike earlier when they were restless with worried minds. There was also social inter-action among them.

Totally 365 families in these camps were the beneficiaries.

Workshop for Tsunami Affected children at Colombuthurai, Jaffna.

Venue  :    Joseph's Maha Vidyalaya Colombuthurai, Jaffna.
Date    :    15th,16th  & 17th April 2005
Participants: Children in the age group 10-16 years from ManalKadu and Kudathanai living in Idaithangal camp who were affected by the Tsunami and CPArts children of Jaffna and Urumparai. The total number of children was 90 plus 6 teachers.

Aims of the Camp: Through art and games to reduce the mental trauma and fears of these children, to provide an opportunity for them to socialize, to show them a new environment, to provide entertainment, to educate them about children's rights, to give them hope for the future and the will to succeed in life.

Programme: One of CPA's Deputy Directors, Mr. Sam Pradeepan, conducted the proceedings. During the course of this programme various games were organized, entertainments were provided and art forms were taught. At the end of the programme Rev. Fr. Jeyakumar, Director of HUDEC, gave a talk with advice to the children that self confidence is very important. He stated that the CPArt is working for everyone irrespective of class, creed etc; after Tsunami CPArts is meeting the needs of the people who were the victims and by such programmes was doing its best to help them to recover from their trauma. Later he gave out the prizes for the participants.

Achievements of the camp:

Children expressed their thoughts through drawings and writings. Some of those who had lost their family members showed signs of tranquility, and their social consciousness was developed by working together irrespective of their social standing. Obedience to teachers was emphasized, punctuality was enforced and physical fitness through morning exercise was demonstrated.

Workshop for Tsunami Affected children at Wherehena Raja Maha Viharaya, Matara

Venue       : Wherehena Raja Maha Viharaya, Matara.
Date         : 18th,19th,20th,21st and 22nd April 2005Organised 

with help from Lost Child International Organization.
Participants  were selected from 05 Tsunami Camps.20 affected children were from the camps and another 20 from CPArts Matara.
The workshop programme included play, and the use of arts.

Art Exhibition

"Kadal Varaindha Oviyam" - "Tidal-born painting"

An exhibition of 28 paintings done by the young artists of the CPArts Art Circle, Jaffna, depicting the after-effects of the Tsunami disaster was held on April 18 at the Kalasurabi School of Fine Arts, Colombo. Later the exhibition was taken on tour to various places in the country as follows:-
April  21  - Tamil Maha Vidyalayam, Kathiraveli,Batticaloa.
April  23  - CPA Vavuniya.
April  25  - Whereahene Raja Maha Viharaya, Matara.
April  27  - St Josephs College, Trincomalee.
Eleven members took part in this tour led by Mr. Wesly Judeson. Aims of the exhibition were relieve from the mental trauma, exhibit the effects of the Tsunami, and promote peace

This exhibition was given good coverage by the national electronic media (MTV) and other National Papers.

Valued comments from some of the viewers:-

“ The paintings showed the reality of the situation and the talents of the artistes and I was really moved after seeing these paints. This is a good opportunity for the next generation to visualize the awful effects of a Tsunami”

Mr.Sivanathan Kishore
Member of Parliament
Vanni District

“ This exhibition enabled people in both the South and East to realize the havoc caused by the Tsunami in each others areas and was an opportunity for Sinhala and Tamil people to meet and build up a good relationship within the community. Also I congratulate all the CPArts for the work they are doing in the country”

Rev.Kegalle Ratnasara Himi
Chief Monk-Wherehena Temple
Matara.

Sinhala –Tamil New Year Festival

CPArts Panadura celebrated the New Year festival at the Galgoda Viharastanaya Tsunami Camp on 16th April 2005. Sinhala Traditional New Year games and cultural events were held during the programme. Adults and Children from the camp participated with enthusiasm.

In Monaragala-The New Year festival was held in Wellawaya CPArts on 11th April 2005. Sinhala Traditional New Year games and cultural events were held. Muslim and Tamil community members from Welawaya also took part in the festival.

Avissawella CPArts held its New Year celebration on the 29th April , in the Cultural Hall, Meepe. Cultural programmes such as dance, singing, drama were held.

A dance group of CPArts Vavuniya travelled to Trincomalee to take part in the New Year Celebration organized by Education Ministry on 27th April.The dance group performed a Tsunami dance and captivated the audience.

CZOP Children’s Teachers Training Programme

Date           : 8th April 2005 at Colombo.
Participants: 20 from 10 Sinhala Speaking CPA Centres attended.

The training programme was conducted by Mrs.A.Olivert Genova, Programme Specialist from Save the Children. The workshop included Children’s Theatre Games, Child rights education, teaching methods for children. It was a full day programme and the participants took part with enthusiasm.

Distribution of donated sports items and drawing materials for Tsunami Camps in Hambantota, Batticaloa and Matara 1st & 2nd April 2005

Funds were donated by Foerderkreis of Germany.

BACK