Fundraising art exhibition at Colombo Center for Special Education

Friday, 31 May 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shabiya Ali Ahlam

The Colombo Center for Special Education (CCSE) is gearing up for its seventh annual arts exhibition which will be held on 18 June 2013 at the Lionel Wendt Gallery.

Being a school that is established for men who are 18 years and above affected with conditions such as Down’s syndrome, autism, and cerebral palsy since 1975, the CCSE at the exhibition will showcase arts and crafts that have been made by these ‘otherwise able’ students to portray their talents. The prime objective of the event is to raise funds for the school.

CCSE Executive Director Charika Muttiah told the Daily FT that the students are highly excited about the exhibition and they are putting their best efforts into their work.

The art teacher for CCSE, Anusha De Silva, said that everything, even the canvas for the paintings is made in the school itself to reduce the cost.

“Our wood-work section makes the frame for us and I help the students to make their own canvass. On that, with guidance they do the paintings which takes about two weeks to finish,” she said while sharing that the students have been preparing for the event for the past six months or so.

Meanwhile, Muttiah stated that the school needs Rs. 300,000 per month to function.

With about 25 students who have special needs, and a small staff of five teachers, along with volunteers, she expressed that the facility has no mode of income other than its fund raising events and donations made by well wishers.

“It gets difficult some times. Though we do charge a small fee per student, there are some parents who can’t afford commit to that small amount,” she said, sharing the challenges in running the school with limited resources.

While requesting corporate entities to extend their support to this school for otherwise able persons, Muttiah stated that donations need not be only monetary.

When questioned how can corporate extend their support, Muttiah showed the school’s “wish list” which highlights a few items they hope to have.

Pieces of timber and plywood for carpentry, sponsor for an outing, an industrial blender and a lawn mower were the few items mentioned on the list.

Pointing that the students are highly fond of getting engaged in making arts and crafts, Muttiah said that the school would be grateful to receive materials for this purpose.

“We are not asking for expensive materials. Old magazines, pieces of cloths, milk powder boxes and similar items we also require. These throw away items are very useful for us,” she said.

Showing the creative collages, carpets, greeting cards, and gift bags made by the students, she said that school hope to teach its “eager learners” how to make a living for themselves.

“Their parents are not going to be with them forever. They need to learn to make a living for themselves. While we are also like a vocational training centre, we teach them simple and easy crafts that they could sell to make a small income for themselves,” she said.

While the school is willing to accept donations of any sort to run their operations, those interested in extending a helping hand to CCSE could get in touch with the Executive Director via phone at 2591641 or through email at [email protected].

Pix by Lasantha Kumara