For the 8th consecutive year, Rotary International District 3220 celebrated the World Down Syndrome Day on the 07th of March 2020 at Mahanama College Colombo 03. The event consisted of medical awareness sessions together with a carnival which attracted over 300+ beneficiaries with their families and guardians.

The event was hosted jointly by the Rotaract Clubs of University of Colombo- Faculty of Arts, American National College, Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Faculty of Science-University of Colombo, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University of Kelaniya, Faculty of Finance Management and Finance, National School of Business Management, Faculty of Medicine-University of Colombo and Kadawatha with the aim of empowering the children who are physically and emotionally challenged with Down Syndrome. The full-day event was carried out under three main stages namely the medical awareness sessions, variety show and the carnival.

The event initiated with the medical awareness sessions which were conducted by specialist doctors who provided in-depth knowledge in the highlighted area of Physiotherapy, which were specifically aimed at the parents of the children. The MJF sessions were a special form of interaction which facilitated the children to connect with one another in a much more elaborate manner. The overall objective of the medical sessions was to boost the health and lifestyle of these children and their parents.

The afternoon session of the project enabled these children to showcase their talents to the participants of the event in the form of a variety show. The children did not fail to exhibit a variety of songs, dances and dramas which enticed the participants and enabled the children to showcase the talents that they possess and to show how they are not different from us. The objective of providing the children with this opportunity is to facilitate themselves to build the self-confidence which resides in these young hearts.

The final stage of the project focused on an entertainment session in the form of a carnival, which enabled the children and their parents to participate in fun-filled games and events which were arranged to build the bond and friendship amongst them. The entertainment session kicked off with the participation of their favourite cartoon characters coming to life, few games such as shooting hoops, basketball throws which caught the eyes of these children. Drawing the project to a close the purest form of happiness was visible in these young children’s hearts as they swayed to the sounds of the music while enjoying the educational yet fun-filled evening with non-other than their families, fellow friends and our very own Rotaractors.

– Rtr. Dulanja Gamanayaka –