The Vesak Project

Dinuth lived in an apartment. There were a total of 25 houses, including his, in this block of there were certain limitations holidays and national holidays were always fun. The kids got together and organized things and celebrated together.

But the situation was very different now. There were strict healthcare guidelines imposed. Everyone had to wash their hands at the entrance and wear facemasks. The children were not allowed to play together or visit each other's houses. People kept away from each other and did things separately with their own families.

The Vesak celebration was coming housing kids got together and made a huge lantern and even a small Pandal a few of times, on the small common front lawn. They even collected money and held a Dansala on one occasion.

But now they were not allowed to gather and work closely like they did before. Last year also there were no decorations or lanterns at all, except for a few strands of coloured bulbs hung

Dinuth met his immediate neighbour Lasitha, as he was climbing down the stairs. They made sure to keep a proper distance between them and that their facemasks were properly worn, before stopping to talk with each other.

"I wish we could do something for Vesak," said Dinuth. "Yes, it looks like we won't be able to make our usual big lantern this year as well," sighed Lasitha.

"No! Let's do something for Vesak!" insisted Dinuth.

"But we are not allowed to gather or work together," reminded Lasitha, and that's a lot!" Dinuth nodded in agreement. "But I am sure that we can think of something to do," he said.

"How can we do anything when we can't even get together to plan?" asked Lasitha walking away looking sad.

Dinuth went home and looked at the calendar. It was a week before Vesak. "What can we do without gathering or working together?" he wondered. Making a big lantern or Pandal was out of the question. Even organizing a Dansala was not possible. Dinuth sat by the window and kept on thinking for a very long time.

Finally Dinuth came up with an idea which he liked very much.

He gave a call to Lasitha immediately. get together and celebrate Vesak this time!" he said in excitement.

Lasitha sighed, "Dinuth, we can't get together, you know that."

"That's true," agreed Dinuth, "but we don't have to get together and work closely to do this."

"First you say we can celebrate together. Then you say that we don't do it together!" Lasitha sounded confused.

Dinuth laughed and explained his puts a lantern according to the colours balconies? It would collectively look like

"That's brilliant!" said Lasitha in row of blue lanterns, the next yellow and so on!"

"Exactly!" said Dinuth. "But how can we make the lanterns without getting together? Not everyone is equally talented.”

"Let's stick to the basic ‘Atapattam’ shape," said Lasitha, remembering the simple lantern which was easy to make. size. That way it will be easier to make and won't cost much as well," said Dinuth.

"But how can we tell everyone about this? Remember, we can't have any meetings," said Lasitha. "Let's call and tell two houses each and ask them to call another will be covered in no time," said Dinuth and Lasitha agreed. couldn't do any group activity for a very it was a simple and inexpensive thing, even the parents didn't have anything against it. So during that week the word one small lantern each, according to the given size and colour. identical from the outside. So when the lanterns were hanged in the balconies of each house, it looked very neat and organized. By evening, all the houses lit their lanterns. The rows representing from the road outside. quiet Vesak the previous year, the kids didn't expect much this time as well. But without breaking any rules or health guidelines, they had managed to work individually and bring about a beautiful result collectively.

Dinuth remembered the words said by the Loku Hamuduruwo, when Dinuth had called to inform him about their Loku Hamuduruwo praised the children and said that it was admirable how the children had worked individually and becomes a good citizen individually, it contributes to the whole society as a whole, making it glow collectively as a good community!"