Features
“I Do It My Way”
The title above is the name given to the evening 
This remarkable event is in celebration of the century of good work done by the Differently Abled Branch of the SL Girl Guides Association which was inaugurated in 1924 at the Visually and Hearing impaired school in Ratmalana. The Girl Guides Movement was introduced to Ceylon in 1917 in Girls’ High School, Kandy.
Differently Abled Branch of Girl Guides Association
Formed a hundred years ago, this group is now effectively spread islandwide, working with girls with different disabilities. All branches attempt to:
· Maximize equal opportunities for participation, growth and leadership
· Foster self-confidence and independence through tailored activities and programs (Training of leaders) to facilitate Guiding
· Raise awareness, advocate for rights and promote inclusion
· Collaborate with organizations and advocacy groups, government and non-government, to support empowerment of young girls and women
· Empower parents with knowledge to care for disabled children.
The stated Vision is: “To be accepted by the society with empathy and not sympathy.”
The Differently Abled Branch committee members elaborated on each of the above aims when they spoke with me. Also mentioned was a fact we are familiar with. A differently abled child is usually treated differently in homes. They are given special care and much is done for them as regards their daily needs, which ultimately is injurious to the child as s/he is stymied and made helpless. Society also bestows sympathy to the differently abled, especially children. They do not need sympathy; rather empathy and most definitely encouragement and help to be able to manage for themselves and eventually become equal – as far as possible, and members of society.
Most government schools, very fortunately, now have special education units open to the disabled.. Organizations and business establishments also work with differently abled very young ones to enable them to join mainstream primary schools.
Work of the Differently Abled Branch
One major aim is to make member guides feel normal. Thus they are integrated with members of the Girl Guides Association. They are also trained to wash their own clothes, attend unaided to bathing and such like. Many are the other activities planned and carried out: picnics, camps, fun-days, sports festivals, talent shows targeting entertainment and joyful participation. In the recent past a pola was organized by the Leaders in Ratnapura. A trip to Jaffna and participation in a live-in camp was another major activity opened to all district branches. Overseas trips too have been organized; one such was to South Korea. Thus the October talent show.
Social responsibility is encouraged by holding shramadana activities like cleaning beaches and their own environment. This year’s cleaning was done islandwide integrated with all Guides, to commemorate Thinking Day with its theme ‘Our world, our peaceful future’ on February 25th. The differently abled are also encouraged to attempt livelihood and self- employment activities such as gardening and poultry keeping. I was presented with a pack of cards painted by a young adult which could earn her some money.
The Branch Leaders conduct meetings and workshops with the Guides themselves and caregivers on a provincial basis so they are advised and trained to look after differently abled children in an empathetic manner aiming to make them as normally able as possible. Specialists such as psychiatrists, speech therapists, behavioral therapists, occupational therapists are invited to address them. These workshops are particularly useful to parents, siblings and others who care for differently abled members of their families.
The present commissioner of the branch, who spoke with me acknowledged the help they get from various organizations, business enterprises and individuals. Sponsorships have helped immensely. The Girl Guides Association works closely with government ministries such as Social Services and others, also departments such as Probation and Child Care.
October 8 Talent Show
The team was so enthusiastic about the event organized to showcase to the public the skills and talents of differently abled girls, nurtured within the Guiding framework, and the success of the Girl Guides Movement. Mentioned in passing was how much sensitive care had to be taken when training participants. Once they were told to listen to a clap to start or change movement in a dance item. Then remembered were the deaf children. Drawing lines on stage, flag waving as directional cues are useless for the blind so concessions had to be made. The enthusiasm of the performers was amazing, the organisers said. Most love to ‘show off’ and here was a chance for them! The visually impaired Guides, mostly from the School for the Disabled in Ratmalana, were so musical they could sing spot-on made-up songs.
The targets of the event are many. The most important is giving their members an opportunity to exhibit their inherent talents and working together to produce joyful singing and dancing – even in wheelchairs. In short, to be in the limelight and up front for a while. Deciding to hold the event at a five star hotel was to give the performers an opportunity to see and feel the opulence of the venue and enjoy its luxury. The event will also demonstrate the immense good work done by the Girl Guides Association for the less fortunate.
Groups will be travelling to Colombo on October 8 from all districts, including Jaffna, Mannar, Sabaragamuwa and the Central Province. These distance travelling participants are to be accommodated overnight.
Funds, ever increasing, are needed to carry out the activities of the Differently Abled Girl Guides Branch; mainly to involve them in mainstream guiding. Hence October 8th tickets are priced at Rs 2000/=. Sponsors have been sought and invited to display advertising banners. More sponsors are targeted by infusing enthusiasm by actually seeing and hearing the differently abled girls perform. Job offers too may be forthcoming
A brochure has this message under the heading REACH OUT: “The Reach Out Projects hold promise of great benefit for all. It is important to note that the Differently Abled Branch of the Sri Lanka Girl Guides Association brings with it an impressive legacy of 100 years of experience of working with differently abled children.”
You reader too can help. Be in the audience on October 8 in the Cinnamon Grand Oak Room at 6.00 pm and be entertained by those who were very unfortunately born differently abled but are courageous and determined; and helped to be as normal as possible.
Phone 0722433412 / 0777256923 or contact girlguidessri