No.261, Bandaranayaka Mawatha, katubedda, Moratuwa. Reg.No: MOR/SOS/REG125
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE
Monday 14th April is New Years day in Sri Lanka and is truly celebrated in style. Fire crackers start the day early and milk is boiled, kiribath made and lots and lots of sweet sugary treats adorn the tables of all Sri Lankan homes. Gifts of colourful traditional clothing are exchanged and everyone dances late into the night.
Here at SEDA Vocational Training Centre it was no different, although we celebrated early, we celebrated with much laughter, happiness, sugar, and lots and lots of dancing!
After a busy first month at the centre it was time to put down the scissors and glue, leave the envelopes and bags aside; now it was time for the young trainees to let their hair down and have some fun. The centre was awakened at 9am with a rainbow of brightly coloured tradition sarongs and skirts worn by all the trainees, accessorized of course with their bright orange uniform tops. It was a feast for the eyes and momentarily drew my attention away from the table full of sweet treats in the centre of the room!
SEDA student's dancing items
It was an early start for the students of SEDA Vocational training centre, but they did not mind at all, they were excited, and there was a buzz of energy in the air. The students all met together in a class room at Ratmalana's Blind & Deaf School, where the government were hosting a regional dance competition for differently abled schools and charities in and around Colombo.
We set about applying their make up and doing their hair before dressing them in their bright and colourful costumes. Their costumes are traditional to match their traditional dances, and were lovingly made by the devoted parents of our SEDA students. Once their jewellery and accessories were added they were all ready to head out to the performance area and check out the stage!!
As is tradition in Sri Lanka the event would not start before making sure everyone was well fed and watered, so off the students went to the dinning hall, dressed in all their bright glamorous frocks, to fill up on noodles and fruit juice before their performances
Finally the show started, the judges were in place at the front of the audience with all their files and forms to read through and complete as the groups of students performed one by one. The staff from social services were crowded around the sides of the stage making sure everything would run smoothly, and a room full of brightly dressed, enthusiastic and nervous performers watched among family, friends and supporters of the many charities gathered for this wonderful event.
One by one the groups performed, some performers so young they could barely make it up the steep steps onto the stage, but everyone up the stage was loving the lime light, smiles were abundant all over the stage.
Finally is was the turn of our first group, the girls, who were to perform a traditional rice harvest dance, complete with rice basket props. They performed to live singing by our head teacher, and was accompanied by a solo traditional drummer (also a student at SEDA). They danced with much confidence and enjoyment, they worked as a team to stay synchronised, and the audience thoroughly enjoyed their mature and established performance. It was a fantastic performance and everyone was so proud of how far this group of girls have come in the past year.
Later up it was the turn of the boys, again performing another traditional harvest dance, with props and flags. Again the boys danced with confidence and uniformity and led a very mature and well established routine, flawless in its performance.
It was wonderful to be part of such a great and inspiring event, to see so many young people full of so much energy and enthusiasm, so excited to show off their new found skills, to be on the stage performing their hearts out to people they love, cherish and admire. There was barely a moment in the whole day in which you remembered these children are 'labelled' as differently abled, because quite frankly they were just as abled as any performers i've watched over my many years of working within the performing arts. It was a delightful and uplifting day and everyone at SEDA was delighted to be apart of such a well established gathering of young performers. Thank you to everyone involved in the organising of this event, and also to our teachers and volunteers at SEDA who work tirelessly to help our young students shine at these performances.
Bringing in the Sinhalese New Year with Fun and Games
April 2015
The students of SEDA Vocational training centre had lots of fun and games celebrating the Sinhalese New Year at Rathmalana United S.C this year. From riding bikes to tug of war, the competition was high as the teams fought through the many games designed to challenge their motor skills and co-ordination. Parents and volunteers all joined in with some of the challenges the students had designed for them! It was a fun filled family day, the perfect way to bring in the new year and celebrate just how far these young students and their families have come in the past year.
OUR FOUNDER
Mr E G Keerthichandra is a remarkable and selfless man who has devoted his entire life to providing charity to those most of need in his home country of Sri Lanka. He moved to the UK in the early 60's when he was a young man but never forgot his roots and was always drawn back to helping his home country. So in 1979 he founded his own charity called Sinhala Bala Mandalaya and through this charity he was able to help tens of thousands of people in Sri Lanka during some of the countries toughest times. Over the years his charity has led projects to build new schools, relocate whole villages, build water wells and hospitals in some of the most remote and dangerous areas. His charity has also set up teacher training programs and Ayurveda clinics to ensure longevity of education and health in the areas which he has been able to provide help. Now living back in Sri Lanka and retired from working he is now able to dedicate all his time and effort to the charity work he is so passionate about. SEDA is yet another project of Sinhala Bala Mandalaya as Mr Gamini focuses his efforts on the suffering and inequality of the differently abled in Sri Lanka.
For more information on this charity please click here:
www.sinhalabalamandalaya.blogspot.com
SEDA Vocational Training Centre was set up in loving memory of Mrs Sunitha Keerthichandra, beloved wife of Mr Gamini Keerthichandra and much loved mother of their 4 children, Apsara, Isuri, Chaya and Dharshana. The entire Keerthichandra family support the efforts of the SEDA organisation in establishing new standards for education, training and employment for people born with differing abilities.
It is without a doubt that the work being undertaken by SEDA would have touched the heart and soul of Mrs Keerthichandra, who was herself one of the most self less, kind hearted and compassionate souls. It is a true honour for SEDA to carry out such rewarding work in the loving memory of such a remarkable women.
OUR TEAM
SEDA OFFICE BEARERS
PRESIDENT - Gamini Keerthichandra
VICE PRESIDENT - Dharshana Keerthichandra
INTERNATIONAL LIAISON OFFICER - Lisa Keerthichandra
TEACHERS
Gayani Rangika DewasirinarayanaPoornika Madushani DewasirinarayanaNavodi Moksha
HOW YOU CONTACT US
Address : No 261, Bandaranayaka Mawatha, Katubedda, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Phone : Landline: 011 2651150 Cell: +94-714823404
Email : info@sedasrilanka@gmail.com
Website : www.srilankaseda.blogspot.com
Facebook : SEDA Vocational Training Center
Facebook : SEDA Vocational Training Center
HOW YOU CAN FIND US
https://www.google.lk/maps/place/University+of+Moratuwa/@6.7951232,79.901302,19z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x3ae245416b7f34b5:0x7bd32721ab02560e!8m2!3d6.796877!4d79.9017781?hl=enADVOCACY
SEDA believes that every person deserves the right to an equal and happy fulfilling life, regardless of how they were born or disabilities they have encountered in life. SEDA believes you should never hide those who are different, but instead should cherish their unique qualities that they bring to the world. SEDA knows that every one of these young people are able to contribute to the communities in which they live.
So why then can they not afford the same legal rights as you or I?
SEDA wants to see changes to the legal rights of all differently abled persons in Sri Lanka
SEDA wants to see changes to how differently abled persons are perceived in work places in Sri Lanka
SEDA wants to see changes to how culture and communities embrace differently abled persons in Sri Lanka
SEDA wants to see families free to embrace their differently abled children without shame or fear
Monday, December 25, 2017
Here at the Vocational Training Centre in Colombo our trainee's embark on a one year training program designed to give them skills to be able to generate an income and live a more independent lifestyle. The trainees work from 9am til 3pm each day with a varied timetable to fit in the many skills in which they can master. They are encouraged to help run the centre along with the staff and provide essential support such as cleaning up, preparing tea and biscuits, organizing daily tasks and keeping orderly records.
Vocational Training Skills
Independent Training Skills
Thursday, December 21, 2017
''We must stop believing that disabilities keep a person from doing something....''
SEDA is a not for profit charity set up to empower the lives of differently abled young people in Sri Lanka. The opening of our Vocational Training Centre in Colombo is the first step in helping to change the lives of people who are discriminated against because of their differences. SEDA wants to empower these young people to work, socialize, to be able to contribute to their communities, and to live independent lives where they can be free to express themselves.
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