Waiting for Wednesday - Duminda's Story
Waiting for Wednesday
Rumindu waits for Wednesday. After his morning rest in the dark bedroom of the family’s mud house, his day lights up when he hears his mother greeting the arrival of the teacher from ECSAT. He returns her infectious smile as she lifts him off the bed and holds him while his mother dresses him in a clean red T shirt and shorts. Nestled securely in his mother’s arms, he knows this the only way he can go out into the bright sunlight which dances between the shadows of the coconut trees. At the bottom of the steep sandy steps, his mother transfers her precious load to the teacher who, wearing a colourful sari and dainty shoes, elegantly negotiates the narrow path through fields and steps over streams to the waiting van. He is supported throughout the bumpy journey to the community centre at Katupolwatta, a housing project which has relocated a tsunami affected village.
The teacher releases Rumindu to the comfort of a large bean bag which bolsters his body – a body with head, arms and legs unable to support themselves. For two hours Rumindu exchanges the loving care of his family for the stimulation of activities at the day care centre. Today he laughs as he reaches for a soft fun ball, his dark eyes sparkle as he shakes a maraca and the teacher adjusts the bean bag as he plays with a battery car. Gently he is lifted onto the teacher’s lap and his fingers are dipped into different coloured paints so that he, too, can take part in the group activity. After having his hands washed, he is fed a specially prepared lunch while the other children eat samposha.
Rumindu is three and a half years old and has cerebal palsy. For him, Wednesday is a day worth waiting for but it is only possible through the support of ECSAT and the dedication of the staff. The ongoing support for him and his family as he becomes too heavy for his mother and teacher to carry, will only be possible with more staff and more resources. Then Rumindu could have more Wednesdays in one week.