They need nobody’s sympathy but the acceptance

January 19, 2019 was a very special day for the students and teachers of POLYMATH College as they visited “Half way Home”, Mulleriyawa, commonly known as Mental Hospital - unit 2.

Together with the inmates there they celebrated Thai Pongal, the harvest festival.

It was an excellent opportunity for the young students of POLYMATH College to understand and empathize with the emotions of a group of people of our society who were sidelined due to their poor mental health.

POLYMATH kids brought a smile to everyone’s face and solace to their hearts by performing different activities such as celebrating Pongal rituals, sharing meals, planting trees with them and singing together. The inmates in return exchanged with kids the beautiful handicrafts and sewing done by them which made the children realize that these inmates possess different talents and they shouldn’t be just sidelined from the society just because of their ill health.

It was very satisfying to note that the number of patients have decreased remarkably from around 950 patients to 400 at present. A number of them have been fully cured, rehabilitated and returned to their loved ones. However it’s quite pathetic to know that some others who have been fully recovered and ready to lead a normal life are rejected by their once dear and loved ones - either their relatives do not want to take them back to their villages or they are not in a position to remember their village or any information regarding their relations due to the long stay in the hospital.

There are yet some who still need medical care and attention. The devotion , commitment and dedication of the doctors, nurses and the other staff members at the hospital is remarkable as they provide these inmates true love, care and affection the patients truly deserve.

The kids were made to understand the reasons for their medical disorders varied widely - sometimes personal, social, financial etc but they could have been fully cured if medication would have started at the inception of the mental disorder. The kids very well understood that it›s necessary to inculcate in the minds of everyone in the society that whenever a mental disorder is identified however trivial it may be, should seek medical assistance at the very first symptoms.

The students were exposed to reality of human life by this visit. They were extremely understanding and empathetic towards the inmates. This visit will undoubtedly pave the way for these young students to go into the wide society as very caring and knowledgeable individuals with immense humane qualities. They are truly made to believe that the inmates at “Half way Home” need nobody’s sympathy but acceptance by the society.

POLYMATH kids will be remembered by the inmates when they see the trees planted by the children bear fruits of charity, love and caring.

As these saplings grow into huge trees the inert goodness and virtue of the little ones will also blossom to the fullest.