CCRT4 AND NSS PARTNERSHIP HELP UPLIFT CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

The Colombo Cinnamon Round Table 4 (CCRTA) is a network of professionals and community leaders dedicated to social service, leadership, fellowship and networking initiatives. Among its many projects, CCRT4 stands out as a long-term benefactor of the Nawodaya Special School (NSS) in Moratuwa, reinforcing its commitment to empowering education for all children in Sri Lanka.

- By Safrah Fazal

Empowering education

NSS provides specialised education for children from underprivileged backgrounds, many of whom are diagnosed with Autism, Down Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Intellectual Disabilities. Since its inception, the school has offered free education to children in Dehiwala, Ratmalana, Moratuwa, Mount Lavinia and Panadura, while also covering their essential needs, including uniforms and meals.

Currently, the school educates 35 children between the ages of 3 and 16. "Our primary goal is to equip children with life skills so they can independently manage their personal needs, such as eating and using the toilet. Secondly, the children should receive an education tailored to their individual needs. We prepare personalised lesson plans for each child, and they are assessed at the end of every term," explained Principal Lakshmi Karunajeewa. The school also incorporates music, arts, dance, and cookery, and also hosts speech therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy sessions.

However, the pandemic and economic crisis have made the school increasingly dependent on donors like CCRT4. "I don’t post on social media asking for aid or donations, but the school is currently run by the generous contributions of a few. Although we need more donors to restore the level of services we provided before COVID-19, we won't go asking. Previously, we had speech therapy visits four times a week, but now it’s down to twice because we are unable to pay for them," she shared.

CCRT4's continued support