Inception of the Plantation Project
Celebrating the successful pilot stage of Sunera Foundation workshops in the up-country tea plantations, performances were staged, on 3 April 2007 at the BMICH, Colombo by persons with disability from Sunera’s workshops in Hatton and Maskeliya. This was followed by an open forum. Lively participation from a cross-section of civil society highlighted the need for greater awareness on the human rights of people with disabilities. The bilateral programme of the British High Commission funded the pilot project.
This project has expanded our work of psychosocial support to persons living with disability in the up-country region of Sri Lanka.
This region faces unique disadvantages in key areas such as health, education, access to justice and fundamental rights. Our workshops empower disabled youth in this region, through creative expression.
Workshops and activities
There are 10 Sunera workshops currently functioning in the Plantations Sector -
- Stoneycliff Estate
- Batalgalla Estate
- Kadawala Estate
- Brownswick Estate
- Robhill Estate
- St. John’s Delary
- Upcot Estate
- Yuillifield Estate
- Gouravila Estate
*please contact the Sunera office on 2504041/42 for times and locations of these workshops
New Initiative
The Plantations Project has also started work on a Street Theatre Project which takes dramas containing relevant social issues to communities and families at the grass roots level. Resource persons have begun training our trainers and participants in this region in this innovative form of drama.
participants and trainers in Hatton practising for the Street Theatre Project
Sunera Street Theatre performances
Sunera’s Plantations Project will perform its Street Theatre performance during the course of February and March 2009.
Sunera’s street theatre project is taking place on 28th February and 1st March 2009.
Sunera’s Plantations Project will perform its Street Theatre performance during the course of January 2009.
28th February 2009 (3.00pm) - at its venue opposite yhr Kotagala Post office
1st March 2009 (9.30am) - at its venue opposite the Bogawanthalawa Town Hall
1st March 2009 (3.00pm) - at its venue near the Hatton Bus Stand
Sunera street theatre a success
It has been a busy time for the Plantation sector workshop trainers and participants, who, for the last 3 months have been rehearsing for their street theatre performances, which took place on the 28th of February and 1st of March 2009.
The performance on 28 February took place in Kotagala Town and consisted of participants from the Yuillefield, Kotagala, and Maddekumbura workshops.
The 40 strong cast performed a drama titled “Disabled Persons Are Human too”.
The morning performance on 1st March 2009 took place in the Bogawanthalawa town centre.
The 60 strong cast consisted of participants and trainers from the Kotiyagala, St. John Delary, Gowrawila and Glentiltl workshops performed a drama entitled “Save The Environment”.
The afternoon performance on the 1st of March 2009 in the Hatton Town Centre entitled “New Opportunities For Disabled Persons” was performed by a cast of 60.
All performances were attended by audiences of about 200.
During a discussion on 6th March, Sunera Trustee, Azira Esufally said, “the performances created awareness of disability issues in that area. Though the performances were not polished, they were beneficial to the participants and community alike. The goal of creating awareness was certainly achieved.”
During a chat on 4th March 2009, with the Assistant Field Manager, John Philip said “the performances were a success judging by the crowds that gathered. It is also the first time we have done such a thing in the plantations region”.
Performance in Hatton on the afternoon on 1st March
Performance in Kotagala on 28th February
Performance in Bogawanthalawa on morning of 1st March
Capacity Building for Plantation Workshop Trainers
Television and Theatre personality, Richard Manamudali, gave the benefits of his performance experience to our Plantation sector workshops.
On 13th June, he visited the Yuillefield workshop and observed the activities there. Based on what he saw and gleaned, he conducted a workshop for all 9 of our trainers in this region on 14th June.
He gave them inputs on how to work with disabled youth, how to be sensitive to disability without being patronising, how to incorporate constructive activities into their weekly workshops and other aspects of theatre and performance.
We wish to thank Richard for his time and valuable inputs and look forward to working with him again in the future.