“Every happy memory created for a child is another treasure of a lifetime“
-Donna Marie
‘A grey gate opened to a narrow stairway leading up to the crowded corridor. He climbed up and passed few doors, disregarding the women who gossiped about last nights’ television show, finally reaching his home. Threw the heavy school bag on the floor and took out the bat and ball his grandparents gifted for his last birthday. While wiping off the dust on it, he slowly sighed…. Looking out of the window at the park growing weed up to the broken see-saw bench!’
His story could be the story of any innocent child living in a public apartment or anywhere with no place to play, no space to be creative or to make memories with their siblings and friends. Childhood means unlimited fun, bounteous shower of love and care, a realm of imagination and joy of growing up. “Play” is the way intelligence unfold in human beings, that’s why we believe that every child deserves to have a space to play, a platform to cherish the most scintillating time of their lives.
Shine ‘N’ Refine was a Community Service project organized by Cluster 4 of the Rotaract District 3220. Cluster 4 comprised of the Rotaract Clubs of Colombo Fort, Wattala, Colombo Institute of Research & Psychology, Colombo Midtown, Ibbagamuwa, Vavuniya and Faculty of Science – University of Colombo. Through this project we were able to refurbish a Children’s Park in Maligawatta, which was abandoned by the residents of the area. The project was carried out for about one month with the participation of the members from the clubs.
First the grass which had been growing for about a meter in height was trimmed. The park has unknowingly started to become a garbage dumping site of the area. Plastic cups, drink bottles, polythene bags, bits and pieces of various broken equipment that were scattered on the ground were collected and disposed. The fence around the park was painted in bright colors. The swing, see-saw, max slide and the climber were repaired and painted. Each and every day the Rotaractors returned home covered in paint dots all over the body which at the end of the day showed their hard work and all the fun they had while working together, as it was a splendid opportunity for them to make new friends and share their memories with members from the other participating clubs.
The enthusiasm and the love the residents showed gave us great strength and encouraged us to do better each day. As we came close to completion, little smiling faces who would gather near the fence to see their playground getting a new look. That happy site filled our hearts with great delight and satisfaction. After putting all the sweat and hard work, we were able to successfully complete the project, shedding joy on those blooming minds once again.
The 5th of March was the day every child in the Maligawatta Residency was waiting for. The refurbished park was handed over to the community by DRR Rtr. Mohamed Husni, DRRE Rtr. Anuradha Senanayake, officials from the District Committee of Rotaract District 3220 and Rotaractors of the clubs of CLUSTER 4. After eagerly waiting till the park is handed over, children ran to the swings and see-saw like bees seeing morning flowers. The Rotaractors did not forget to treat them with a piece of cake and soft drinks as well. Their joyful smiles and the appreciations we received from the residents, especially from the keeper of the park who was there for 18 years before it was abandoned, were overwhelming!
“The best way to make children good is to make them happy.”
– Oscar Wilde
Written by: Rtr. Isurika Weerasinghe
Leave a Reply