Special Events
Watch this space for a report on the launch of our new batik range at Dwellings in Colombo. See also this article that appeared in the Daily Mirror on 1st April (coincidentally our 5th anniversary!).
Sinhala and Tamil New Year Festival - 25 April 2009
People from the villages of Katupolwatta, Coca-Cola, Bambaragoda, Walahanduwa and the Asian Development Trust (ADT) gathered at the Katupolwatta community centre for the New Year festival which had been jointly planned by the Wings and ECSAT staff who work at the Katupolwatta Kid’s Club. Parents supported the event with ladies preparing food and fathers erecting a pole on a stand for pillow fights.
The opening ceremony was carried out by three of the older girls and two younger boys and girls representing the members of a family. Watched by a circle of villagers in traditional dress, they lit a wood fire under a pot of milk placed on a brick hearth and tended it until the pot of milk boiled over. 
Everyone clapped to celebrate this symbol of good luck which indicated prosperity for the forthcoming year. An oil lamp was lit and traditional food such as oil cakes, milk rice (kiribath) and kokis was offered to the representative members of the family.
The fun and games started with a race round the village for the older boys and girls. This was followed by tricycle races for the younger ones and Rumidu, who was unable to take part in the race, sat with his mother and waved a flag as children crossed the finishing line. Three pots full of water had been hung between coconut trees, blue water in the middle one and yellow and plain water either side. Everyone watched as children took it in turns to be blindfolded and try to smash a pot with a big stick. The winner would be the one to break the pot of blue water but, after many near misses, the pot with yellow water was smashed.
Eating buns on a string with hands behind the back and pinning the tail on the elephant were fun to watch. Pillow fights on the pole above the ground was a challenging game. Many boys lost their balance after just one hit from a pillow but several managed to deliver three or four blows before one of them slipped to the ground. It was pleasing to see that the inclusive approach of the festival resulted in one of the disabled children reaching the semi-final of this event.
There were games for different age groups and all ages joined together for the musical game of passing the ball which was won by an eight year old girl. Young children drank orange juice through a straw as quickly as possible. Older children took part in a lime and spoon race (with second place achieved by a disabled girl) and musical chairs. Ladies were very competitive grinding coconut and blowing a balloon until it burst. Staff could show off their ball skills while throwing the ball to music. For a short time the air was filled with laughter as children competed to give the most infectious laugh into the microphone. This contrasted with their efforts to produce the most heart rending crying.
People anticipated a sticky mess during the game of throwing and catching eggs with a partner but participants were surprisingly clever as if they had been practising at home! But there were many sticky faces after feeding yogurt blindfolded to a partner and at the end of the sack race when people picked a toffee out of a bowl of flour.
Everyone was charmed by the dancing which was choreographed for the festival by a member of the ECSAT staff. The eight dancers invited people to come together and join in the traditional Sri Lankan celebrations. People from the five villages responded to this invitation by taking a full part in the event which was open to all members of the five communities. A presentation of prizes completed a well organised and happy festival.
World Children Day - 1 October 2008
Sri Lanka celebrated World Child Day on October 1st. ECSAT organised special events at Katupolwatta Kid’s Club and Galle Centre’s Disability Group.
Katupolwatta
The theme was ‘Make children’s world beautiful by listening to them’. The idea was to have fun while working together on new activities. Four teams competed in a good spirit starting with making clothing for the team leader using newspaper, coloured paper and sellotape. The results were creative ranging from traditional dress for a king to a western outfit for a girl. Teams co-operated and learnt from each other while trying out different games such as passing a marble down a line of hand held tubes – not as easy as it looked! Everyone laughed watching individual team members trying to get a nail tied to the waist by string inside a bottle – without using their hands. The morning ended with lunch followed by singing songs. To mark the day, each child was offered the chance to open a bank account and four mango trees were planted.
Galle Centre
The children helped with making decorations and preparing the centre for visiting parents. They gave their parents a traditional welcome by offering a beetle case and lighting a coconut oil lamp on a picture of the world. Prageeth took on the responsibility of making a speech to mark this special day of ‘friendship with children around the world’ and ‘listening to children’. Children showed parents their skills by finding their initial among a selection of large letters and printing colourful hands of friendship round the world. Everyone had the opportunity to mime their favourite thing such as cooking, dancing or reading a book, which others had to guess. Best of all was Maheshika’s mime of eating a banana and slipping on the banana skin! Parents supported the event by providing food so that children could make everyone sandwiches and by presenting a lantern shaped money box to every child. The money will be counted and put into a bank account after the next World Child Day.
Sinhala and Tamil New Year Celebrations 2008
ECSAT Centre organized by Parent Support Group of Galle Town
Mothers light the fire under the pot of milk (left) so that it boils over well, signifying prosperity and happiness in the new year.
The oil lamp is lit (right) before everyone gets a chance to sample the traditional new year treats. (below)
Let the games begin! Everyone takes part in the New Year games… balloon blowing, water relay and blind mans buff!
A fantastic day for everyone, well organized by the parent support group, and with the participation of ECSAT staff, young adults, children and families! Happy New Year!