On 29th of January – a busy Tuesday which I knew was going to be one hectic day, having two projects to complete, we – a bunch of rotaractors including ‘to be’ second- and third-years, got on a bus to Borella. As we got in, many heads turned our way and I knew our presence had made a ruckus in the bus with all our big boxes and bags. Once when we settled ourselves and our stuff, where there was enough room, the bus took off and I was near the driver keeping a close eye on the cake boxes in the front. While standing there, I was able to eavesdrop on the brief chat our Vice president- Viranga aiya had with the driver. He was asked where we were going, followed by a small description on what we were up to, on Viranga aiya’s part. ‘Good- that is what has to be done’ was the driver’s remark and I knew it was a good start.
After getting down from Borella we took another bus to Gothami Road where our Montessori was located. Unlike other child care centers, this one was a bit special as it was initiated by the Sri Lankan Police. ‘Lakvidu’ Child care center- the Montessori where we had selected to make a few donations, under Akhankara-Phase 2, is a place that build up hope in little minds.
When we arrived at our destination, we were warmly welcomed by the beautiful Montessori teachers and a smart lady in a police uniform. Once we entered the building, many twinkling big round eyes took quick glances at us, giving shy smiles and looking away at the same time. We were strangers to them and I guess they were taught not to speak to strangers; so the beginning was quite peaceful. It was after the morning meal that the real war began! With their little stomachs filled with quite a big meal, the little ones became incredibly active and we were no longer strangers to them!
Next in line, in the programme planned for the day, was a collage activity- an idea Anjalee akka came up with, after pondering over and over. Despite the hyper activeness of the kids, we were somehow able to complete that task as well by carefully keeping them glued to their seats- not to mention that some of our own members also became kindergartners and joined in the activity by making collage fish of their own. It was quite an enjoyable time, listening to the kids’ serious- yet not that serious stories. As I was told, it was their first time doing a collage and they did not forget to show off their breathtaking pieces of art to the teachers running around the building, even before finishing the whole thing. Their collage work was then pasted on a background art (a suggestion by Nadeeshani akka thanks to her golden prior experience with preschoolers) that we were able to create beforehand, with the help of four talented artists; Thisara, Ravindra, Tharushika and Danushi, making a beautiful sea.
So that’s where our agenda ended -not because we didn’t plan anything else- but because the kids thoroughly stood on their ground on not listening to any of us! We were supposed to have a friendly simple chat with them, giving them simple pieces of advice – (an idea given by Praneeth aiya; we seriously doubted the possibility of putting it into action) which was given up unquestioned.
With our plan gone wrong I took out a soap bubble blowing toy (not sure if that’s what it is called) and started making soap bubbles. It was met with such enthusiasm by the kids and they wanted to do it on their own; hence, started to pull the bottle away from my hand. Not being able to get the kids away from the bottle, I gave it to Asitha who was much taller and they started to follow him around, at last cornering him to the front door. When the kids became uncontrollable, Praneeth aiya took action and put the bottle away murmuring ‘Who brought this in the first place?’ As a last solution Asitha played some music, to try and calm down the kids and a few of us danced along with them. In the mean time we also had to attend to some quarrels- like one stealing another’s little brother!
At 12.00 noon, the little ones went home after having lunch, with bright happy faces, not showing an ounce of tiredness- rather mocking at the rotaractors resting here and there. With that our morning session for the day came to an end. After handing over the donations we brought for the Montessori, along with so many thankful words from their side we also came back, having another programme – ‘ස්නේහ’ (an unexpected project we came across as a lesson for ignoring google maps) to attend in the evening. At the end of the day, we were tired- yet exceptionally happy!
Finally, a special thank you goes to all those who joined hands with Anjalee akka, Oshan aiya and me on this noble cause!
-Written by Rtr. Nirasha Wickramasinghe-
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