A Day of Firsts: Celebrating World Children’s Day with Nelumkanniya School

It all started with a simple, heartfelt request from Nelumkanniya School. Their students had never been on a field trip, and they desperately wanted to give them that experience. As we were making plans for a longer journey, the recent incidents involving bus accidents across the country gave us pause, making us cautious about a distant trip.

Then, an inspiring message arrived from Parami. She was ready to offer a truly unique experience for these children in celebration of World Children’s Day (October 1st). We knew immediately that this was the perfect opportunity to fulfill Nelumkanniya School’s request.

An Unforgettable Day in Anuradhapura

For many of these students, a significant chunk of the day would be a series of “firsts.” Many had never even seen a movie in a cinema hall! The plan was set: a beautiful day spent right in the city of Anuradhapura. Though not a massive metropolis, even the simple things within the city were sights these children were experiencing for the very first time.

The day began with visits to the serene Isurumuniya and Tissa Wewa (Tissa Tank). They then spent time at the Cocobay Fun Zone, followed by a chance to simply run free around the Kumbichchankulama Wewa. The grand finale was the movie experience at the Wilmax Film Hall.

As the evening approached and the children were getting ready to head home, I went to the Wilmax cinema to meet them. It was a good thing I went in my car, because they absolutely filled it with gifts!

The Gifts of Gratitude

“Why all this?” I asked as I loaded the generous haul into my car.

“Doctor,” the staff and parents replied, “you’ve been looking after our children since 2022. These are tokens of appreciation from the children, from the mothers, and from our staff.”

I saw the biggest Mung Kavum (a traditional sweet) and the largest Pani Walalu (honey rings) I have ever laid eyes on! And they were incredibly delicious.

I know the real appreciation isn’t just for me. This heartfelt gratitude truly belongs to a dedicated team and incredible sponsors. Though I can’t send you a taste of those wonderful sweets, I can share the people who deserve this enormous ‘Thank You’:

1. The SFP 87 team (Gishan, Dilani, Janaka, Dilee, Dulshi, Kulisha, Chaminda, Christine, Douglas, Ishara, Vidushini, Nilmini, and the entire crew), for providing these children with midday meals since 2022. This marks almost three years since you all, initially strangers to one another, took on the responsibility of this school on October 17th, 2022.

2. Nilmini Akka, for repairing the school’s dilapidated playground and giving the children a brand-new space to play.

3. Nimmi Hathurusinghe, for sponsoring the transportation costs to and from the school and for contributing to the refreshments today.

4. Nilmini Akka (again!), for sponsoring the movie tickets at the cinema hall.

5. Dinesh, for dedicating his entire day to providing safe, loving, and careful transportation for the children at a very minimal cost.

6. Parami Abeyrathna, for giving us the opportunity to dedicate her beautiful Cocobay Fun Zone’s first anniversary to fifty children from a struggling school. Parami, without you, we couldn’t have given them this ‘heavenly’ experience.

A Little Gift, A Big Impact

While this was a small gift we gave the school for World Children’s Day, it was also meant as encouragement and recognition for the students’ outstanding performance in their scholarship results.

“They were incredibly happy; you showed them heaven. Thank you so much, Doctor,” the principal madam said through tears.

October 1st is World Children’s Day, and while it’s about making children happy, today was also a grown-up’s day. It was filled with so many reasons for the adults to be happy watching the joy on the children’s faces.

There are still other schools that have never been on a field trip. We plan to wait until the current accident situation calms down a bit, and then we’ll take them too. But for this Saturday, a group is coming from Mullaitivu to Kandy. I’ll share that story with you then.

By Dr. Kiloshini Hendawitharana – Pirunu Kusak Pirunu Hisak