In a first for the city, children with disability, from gypsy communities, under institutional care, and those hailing from rural and urban Puducherry will be drawn together in a celebration of summer through joyful learning.
According to the Trust for Youth and Child Leadership (TYCL) in Muthialpet, the ‘Kuzhanthaigal Kodai Kondattam 2017’ is the first inclusive summer camp for the children in difficult circumstances in Puducherry.
The six-day camp will be formally opened on Monday at 10 a.m. at the School of Management Auditorium, Pondicherry University. It will conclude on May 20.
Anisha Basheer Khan, Vice-Chancellor (officiating), Pondicherry University, will inaugurate the camp. Vidyaa Ramkumar, Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee, and Berta Baulenas Vilaregut from a French NGO will participate in the inaugural ceremony.
Around 100 children and 30 student volunteers will take care of the children throughout the camp.
Values and practices
The summer camp will focus on traditional values and practices which help children to design their own lifestyle and healthy well-being. It will also help them to collect the story of their own life and capture values from the family and community. It will also provide a space for self- learning and self-reflection and connecting with people and the planet.
Throughout, the camp activities will highlight the theme, “Towards modernising traditional values and practices.”
Among the highlights are ‘What is science? in our tradition by Galileo Sathiyamanikkam from Madurai,’ ‘No oil No boil’’ cookery classes by Padayal Sivakumar, ‘Palm Leaf Art’ workshop by Anandeswari, traditional games led by Vanagam Vetrimaran, a workshop on turning trash to toys by Cuckoo Sivaraj, and a paper craft session by Thiyaga Sekar.
The camp will also feature a workshop on traditional art forms led by Kalaithai Matheshwaram and a session on traditional social justice songs by Vaiyampatti Muthusamy.
The camp will conclude with a visit to the Pitchavaram mangroves to understand the ecosystem.
The partner organisations include Baby Sarah’s Home, New Era Children Collective, Child Development Centre, Satya Special School and Samugam Foundation.
TYCL and MUGHIL Social Welfare Organisation will also be jointly launching the N’KaNa mobile app which enables professionals to engage in mentorship activities for children in need and risk.
More details are available with Sivaramakrishnan 9003810099.
