Date:  9^th of November 2010

On the 9^th of November, the Interact Club of AIS gave me the fantastic opportunity to experience something that would change my life forever: Prithipura. A home on the outskirts of Colombo with some of the happiest children I’ve ever seen. A few weeks earlier I had volunteered to act as a clown for those kids. I don’t know what made me do it, but I did; and I'm glad I did.

The day arrived and my partner in clowning Ahsan and I were ready in our clown costumes. Around 60 enthusiastic interactors got into that one AIS school bus and journeyed an hour or so to Prithipura. As we descended from the bus a quiet and homely atmosphere greeted us. Our chairperson Shehani gave the crowd a few balloons and we were ready. We were taken around the quarters where we witnessed amazing things.

These children couldn’t speak, most of them couldn’t move- those who could, had erratic movements- and many of them just watched. This clown job just became a hundred times harder. My heart melted as I tried to connect with the children. It was difficult at first, but more interaction made it easy.

After visiting all the residential quarters and playing with some of the kids, we made it to the courtyard where the children joined us for the entertainment items we had prepared.

The committee had a small skit/musical item, I’m sure the children enjoyed it! 
Then we had an item performed by our musical minded interactors, the item was well rehearsed and was a joy to the ears. Lastly we had an dance performed by the Form 4s which was really enjoyable

After that we were allowed to play with the kids, carry them and feed them. Ahsan and I went around giving the kids some toys and feeding them chit chats. The interact club gave cake and other edible items to the home.

When the time came to leave, we were reluctant, such a wonderful place, how were we to leave it? But alas, all good things have to come to an end. We left the home and made our way back to school.

Going to Prithipura has thought us an important lesson. Material things aren’t everything in this world. These kids have nothing and are much happier. We, having everything, crib and grumble at the slightest things. On the way to Prithipura, I had wondered how to make these kids laugh and be happy- I made a mistake, they were already happy, and they became happier just to see us.

-Zafarali Ahmed

-Webmaster