Village awakens to healthy living
From a village in Uva Parangama, in the Badulla District comes the heartening story of a group of villagers engaged in a daily keep-fit programme that has proved to be a great success, say villagers.
In spite of the cold weather conditions these days, the villagers are up by 4 a.m. and make their way to a playground to participate in an exercise regime from 5.30 a.m. to 6.30 a.m., conducted by a retired Public Health Inspector (PHI) and karate trainer. The programme started in August last year and conducted by Jayaweera Jayasundara in the village of Koralekumbura sees the participation of villagers in the ages ranging from five yearolds to 80 year- olds.
Many of the elderly participants who are diabetics or have high blood pressure have said that they feel their health situation has improved since they started their exercise regime.
Sixty-three year- old A.J.M. Nandawathee who has had cardiac problems since the age of 49 said she was once admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the Badulla hospital and still attends regular clinics.
“Many are the times I felt I was about to die and I always have with me the tablet one keeps under the tongue, in case of an emergency. I got to know about this exercise programme and that it was opened to participants of all ages..
"At the start I found it hard to get up 4 a.m. But now I’m accustomed to the routine and no matter what the weather is I am a regular participant. I used to suffer from breathing difficulties and chest burning sensations. But now I don’t have any of these symptoms. Even the doctors are surprised at my improving health condition. I feel like a 40 year old woman now," said a smiling Nandawathee.
H.M. Muthumenika, 66, another regular at these sessions says many villagers now avoid unhealthy food such as pastries and other short eats.
“We eat more jak, green peas and other healthy local food," she said.
“I have been suffering from arthritis for more than six years. I didn't get much relief from my medications. Within the first week that I attended the exercise group my joints stopped swelling," she said.
The man behind the programme, Mr. Jayasundara said he was delighted with the response and the results.
“I was working at a non communicable unit of the Uva Province Health Ministry. But I was not satisfied with my work there. So I retired although I had another five years of service. Since I had worked as a Karate trainer for years I started night classes for the youth in the area. These training sessions were successful and many parents suggested that I conduct a physical exercise programme too. That's how it all began in August.
"Most of the villagers living here are farmers. They are forced to handle agro- chemicals regularly and I believe this has given rise to an increase in communicable diseases. But with the introduction of these exercises and a new food culture Koralekumbura village has become a healthy village," said Mr. Jayasundara.
Koralekumbura village is also known as the Karate village because of the karate lessons for the youth that Mr. Jayasundara still continues to conduct parallel to the morning physical sessions.