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.
September 21st, 2011 — Events, Pages, Workshops
Bank of Ceylon savings accounts were opened for a large number of members from Sunera workshops, following a project initiated to mark the Sambudathva Jayanthi celebrations. The project covered workshops in Akuressa, Matara, Weligama, Galle, Imaduwa, Horana, Dharga Town, Panadura, Dehiwela, Maharagama, Kurunegala, Nikaweratiya, Horombawa, Horagolla, Negombo, Puttalam, Anuradahpura, Chilaw, Anamaduwa, Thalawa, Kekirawa, Badulla, Bandarawela, Welimada, Mawanella and Kandy. The selection of beneficiaries was done according to a list of names updated as at April 1, where members who attended workshops regularly were entitled to receive the savings accounts with a deposit of Rs. 2000. The project was the concept of Bank of Ceylon Chairman Dr. Gamini Wickremesinghe and the Chairperson of Sunera Foundation Sunethra Bandaranaike. Prior to handing over the savings books, parents and guardians of the participants were briefed by the bank officials on the benefits relating to the savings accounts.
Mawanella workshop participants receiving their savings deposits at a ceremony held on August 14.
July 1st, 2011 — Pages
Teacher Training workshops were held for our trainers. The workshops started off in Colombo from June 6 to 10, 2011 and ended on July 1, 2011.
Workshops were also held in Kurunegala, Anuradhapura and Hatton. The programme consisted of training in theatre, arts and dance and was conducted by Prof. Artemis Preeshl from Loyola University in New Orleans.
Prof. Preeshl at the workshop in Colombo
Our trainers at the workshop in Colombo
Trying out the new methods with our participants at the workshop in Colombo
April 20th, 2011 — Pages
Two plays, “Thaththavin thedal” by the Kalmunai workshop and “Udaintha ithaiyam” by the Thirukkovil workshop were performed at the Sacred Heart Hall in Kalmunai on April 3, 2011. The plays were staged to celebrate the first anniversary of the workshops in the East Coast.
April 18th, 2011 — Pages
The Dehiwala Sunera workshop held their Avurudu celebrations on April 2, 2011 at the workshop premises (Sri Subodaramaya Temple).
April 4th, 2011 — Pages
“The sight was simply awe-inspiring. The swift-footed dancers clad in colourful costumes performed their act with such skill that you are left gasping in wonder and vying to see more. They twirl, leap and flutter across the stage. You never know where the time had gone for you are transported to a fantasy world of toys coming to life.”
Please refer the link below, to read more on the article on Jehan Aloysius’ latest production The Nutcracker, published in the Artscope section of the Daily News or try to get your hands on a copy of the of the paper, published on Wednesday March 23, 2011.
March 14th, 2011 — Pages
B. Yogenderaja from Glentilt Estate and a student of the Glentilt Sunera workshop is seen here with the three medals he won at the Sunshine Games in Colombo.
March 10th, 2011 — Pages, Plantations Project
Three new workshops opened in Nawalapitiya at the Westhall School in Nawalapitiya on 9 March 2011. The Chairperson, Executive Director and Communications officer along with the Managers of Kahawatte Plantations, which is part of the MJF Group were present at the inauguration.Over 70 children from the area will be attending the workshops and we are thankful to the MJF Foundation for partnering with us on this project.
March 8th, 2011 — Pages
Three Sunera Foundation trainers participated in the therapeutic puppetry theatre programme, namely: Sandun Bandara (Senior Trainer, Anuradhapura), Dinesha (Trainer, Badulla) and Menaka (Trainer, Matara). This is what they had to say:
The therapeutic puppetry theatre programme was very beneficial to us. We learnt not only how to make puppets and manipulate them on the stage but also how to tap into the stress and trauma of our participants and to utilise puppets to help them to overcome these problems.
It was particularly interesting for us to gain knowledge on how to make puppets come alive so that they become specific characters in a performance playing a vital role in helping those with mental problems, to identify them and overcome them. In this context we were taught the importance of playback theatre.
February 24th, 2011 — Pages
A therapeutic puppet theatre workshop was conducted by Dr. Nira Kalplansky from Israel. It was held in Colombo on January 30 and 31 and from February 7 to 11, 2011.This programme was created for facilitators, counsellors, psychologists and educators.
Three Sunera Foundation trainers participated in the programme. Their comments on the programme will follow in due course.