January 25th, 2012 — Pages
We were privileged to have FSF Patron and a Trustee at one of our workshops recently, when FSF Patron Jonathan Steele and FSF Trustee Alison Skilbeck visited our Maharagama workshop on January 12, 2012. The high point of the occasion was when both Jonathan and Alison joined the activities along with the participants. The workshop participants enjoyed the presence of the visitors. They engaged in a fun filled interactive session together.
January 25th, 2012 — Events, Workshops
These photographs were taken during the visit of FSF Trustee Alison Skilbeck. During her stay, she visited many of the workshops. She met with the parents of the workshop participants, trainers and staff of the Sunera Head Office.
One of the highlights of Alison’s visit was the staging of her one woman show “Are There More Of You?” from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2011. The show, which was a fundraiser for the Sunera Foundation, was performed at British Council, Colombo, on January 13& 14. The event turned out to be a huge success. Alison played to a full house on both nights and the audience greatly enjoyed it. Proceeds from the sale of tickets were directed to Sunera Foundation.
A review that appeared in the Sunday Times newspaper following the show stated thus, “Each woman’s story, is served up with a twist, and the audience is given the chance to be there, in the very moment they make their leap into a new life or resign themselves to the ones they already have. Each story is laced with panic and despair, humour and resilience……As an actress, Alison has a wonderfully expressive face, and she is beautiful to watch as she makes the transition from one character to another, adopting a new accent, attitude and appearance for each.”
January 20th, 2012 — Workshops
We reproduce below a translation of a letter which was sent to the Sunera Foundation by the Parents’ Committee of the Badulla Sunera workshop.
January 16th, 2012 — Awards, Events
Their disability did not prevent them from getting on a public stage to compete at an art festival, with the non disabled.
They emerged victorious, bringing a rare honour to themselves and to Sunera Foundation. Their families were very proud, indeed. Above all, they proved, beyond doubt, that ‘DISABILITY IS POSSIBILITY’ and, as such, they need to be accepted as human beings who can make their share of contribution to society.
It was a rare honour for the members of the Sunera Foundation Thalawa workshop, who took part in the recent North Central Provincial Art Festival when the short drama presented by the Sunera members ‘Awasara Nehe’ bagged the highest number of awards out of the nine shortlisted for the final competition.
Having taken part in the first competition held at Vivekananda School in Anuradhapura, the drama was also selected to be featured at the final ceremony held at the Anuradhapura Central College on 23rd December.
Sandun Bandara Dissanayake won the Awards for the Best Script , Best Choreography and second place for the Best Producer. Niluka Seneviratne won the award for best costumes while K. D. Jayakody received an award for best stage management. Thanuja Lasanthi Wijeywickreme was selected the best make up artiste.
In addition, Gayathri Ranbgebandara, Thanuja Lasanthi Wijeywickreme and Chandani Ranasinghe became the recipients of merit awards.
The drama ‘Awasara Nehe’ was featured at the annual Samanalayaya concert in 2010.
The art festival was organized by the North Central Provincial Council and the Cultural Department. The North Central Province Governor Karunaratne Divulgane and Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayake were among the distinguished guests who graced the occasion as chief guests.
Thalawa Sunera workshop is conducted every Friday at the main hall of ‘AKASA’ – an association for the differently-abled females. The Sunera’s initiative receives the fullest support of the Chairperson of the ‘AKASA’ organization Mrs. N.G. Kamalawathie.
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