‘Give the children of Daya Mina a chance’
“Our World” the centre’s annual sale will be on at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery on November 28 and 29
Having learning difficulties and intellectual challenges do not limit the young people at the Daya Mina day centre from expressing their creativity to the best of their capacities.
Joining hands with Supem Uyana, the residential centre for students with learning difficulties and Nisansala Special Training Centre all of which come under the umbrella of the Sudaya Trust, Daya Mina will hold the “Our World” sale on November 28 and 29 at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery from 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m.
Candles, wines, chutneys, table linen, Christmas décor and plants that are all creations of the students will be available at the sale, which is a fundraiser. Directress Sister Anastasia says they also want “to raise awareness that these kids can, and that they have their talents, and people should not reject them, corner them or ignore them, but rather give them the opportunity to be like any other normal person.” The centre includes students from ages 14 - 35 from all walks of life.
The chief guests will be General Manager of Jaic Hilton, Karim Schadlou on the opening day and on the second day, the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka, Bonnie Horbach.
The Daya Mina Centre run by the Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary is a second home to its students who travel from near and far to spend their days there. Sr. Anastasia walked the Sunday Times through the centre, showing us each facility the students have access to. “Daya Mina now has 30 students,” says Sr. Anastasia explaining how they had twice as many before the pandemic. “The daily programme starts with them getting their classrooms cleaned, and then they have gatha or prayers.” Activities such as speech therapy, sewing, cookery, candle making, handcraft, drawing, horticulture and many more are on the timetable.
Their classes consist of about five students with a teacher who may be a Sister, trained professional or volunteer, based on the students’ abilities. “The main aim for the older children here is to make them independent, and to give them a vocational skill,” says Sr. Anastasia. “On Mondays they have special classes for dancing, and on Thursdays we have Girl Guides,” she adds highlighting the interest the students show in these subjects. “We try to take them out shopping to learn the value of money,” she smiles, sharing experiences she had with the students in Pettah.
The centre began 30 years ago, and Sr. Anastasia has been there since its inception. Reminiscing on her experience, she says “It has been wonderful. The acceptance in Daya Mina as in all our homes is one of love, caring, and homeliness, so they feel that they belong. They feel that it’s their place.”
“When they come to us, they have many limitations, but we see clear progress. There is a boy who used to stay under the table, now he is a leader of a group and shows everybody what to do, he has found himself, and has found self-confidence, and he mixes in. We also see development in their speech.”
“I personally feel if I wanted to give a message it would be that society accepts them. That society makes space for them, and that they have job opportunities. When parents are aged and their brothers and sisters have all gone for greener pastures, there’s no one to look after these kids,” says Sr. Anastasia.
The centre has also had significant milestones in the 30-years. “We have done two things out of the ordinary. One, we started a cottage for independent living.” The cottage is located across the Daya Mina centre where “graduates’” of the centre practise an independent lifestyle under the supervision of a matron. “They do their marketing, cooking; run a home, in other words, it’s kind of a stepping stone to entering society.”
“The second is that we started a residential home for ladies.” Located in Kegalle, this is in response to a growing need in the country to have residential care for the older persons.
Donations and funds are welcome to further develop the Daya Mina centre. Sister Anastasia can be contacted on 0112 834 633 or 077 343 3986.
The “Our World” sale will be on at the Lionel Wendt Art Gallery on November 28 and 29 from 10 a.m.
to 7.30 p.m.