The Rebuilding Lives Project has had another active 6 months of activities and programmes in and around Seenigama to tackle the many mental and psycho-social issues that affect people's lives in rural communities.
The Rebuilding Lives Project was established in July 2005 through Dr. Malkanthi Hettiarachchi and Dr. Shanthikumar Hettiarachchi, with the support of Evangeline Ekanayake and Sister Canice Fernando (who train and supervise the counsellors), Jeanne Maracek and other international supporters in the field of mental health work including Professor Padmal De Silva. Responding to the trauma caused by the tsunami, this project commenced work in Akurala and Galle before joining the Foundation of Goodness in Seenigama with the hopes of further widening its reach.
Since those days the RLP work, run by a dedicated team of Dhamma Teachers (religious education teachers) who have been trained to be counsellors, has become recognised as a central need for rural communities not just to deal with the trauma of natural disasters but to begin to bring into the open some of the deep-rooted issues that are the fruits of poverty and social conflict.
In January the team held the monthly cricket match between children of Akurala and Kahawa schools, using sport as a way of increasing confidence, building physical fitness and wellbeing and focusing on team work, tolerance and good sportsmanship.
Also held in January was a Bodhi Puja at Seenigama Temple, recognising the importance that religion and spirituality play in good mental health and a sense of wellbeing.
February was a busy month. On the 4th, February the RLP team celebrated Independance Day, to salute the soldiers who participated from nearby Boossa Navy camp. Seenigama and Udumulla Children's Goodness Club members, Sampath Viraj (Seenigama based FOG Manager), Rangi (CGC Coordinator), Niluka (Udumulla Village Heartbeat Coordinator), Chammi (Pre School Teacher) and RLP sector Manager Fazana Ibrahim attended the function.
On the 26th a maha pola (market) was held at Kahawa centre. This was a big fair selling handicrafts, eats, vegetables, fruits etc. The produce was participants' own, that they brought to sell and earn the money in order to save in their bank accounts.
An Awareness Programme was held for Udumulla Mothers on “Why it is important to listen to children”, and the Kahawa Children's programme also focused on mothers listening to their children.
An English programme was also held, aimed at raising awareness of the importance of good mental health.
A programme was delivered at the Seenigama Sports Academy with the Seenigama U13 Cricket Team, discussing the challenges in life and how to cope with competition, winning and losing.
In March the RLP team delivered a programme with Anula Girls Home on Exam stress and how to face exams.
And in April Sri Lankan New Year Festival Celebrations were held for Akurala/ Kahawa Childrens Programme members, while the programme continued at Anula Girls Home on exam stress and revision techniques
In May – the RLP Team celebrated Wesak with a Bodhi Pooja. In addition, programmes included a workshop with Akurala parents on “How to Identify myself” and with Lahiru Pre School children and parents on “How to familiarize with good habits, correct way to the society - how to adapt yor child to the society in a good and correct way” and with KPMG VIllage Youth Club on “How to build trust and relationships with other neighbours.”
In May the RLP team also held a Community Service project with Kahawa and Akurala Childrens Programme Parents, who made a donation of paint to Kahawa Temple.
In June, for Poson day a Bana (religious sermon) was given to Akurala and Kahawa village community. In Kahawa a children's fair was held and for Kahawa Parents a Mental Health Awareness Programme based on “how to adapt your child to the society with good habits and the correct way”.
Every month they have either cricket, volley ball or baseball matches for the Akurala and Kahawa children's programme participants. A children's fair is also held every month at both villages.
Because of the unique way the RLP team works, training staff who are already respected as educators and guiders of their community in their role as Dhamma teachers, the team is able to overcome the barriers that often arise because of the stigma around mental health in Sri Lanka. This is an innovative and vital service that uplifts rural communities towards empowerment and self-confidence for the benefit of children and youth for a bright future.
“Happiness is not a matter of good fortune or worldly possessions. It's a mental attitude. It comes from appreciating what we have, instead of being miserable about what we don't have. It's so simple—yet so hard for the human mind to comprehend.”
2009.06.22 |
