DABAL – Committee Meeting

DABAL – Committee Meeting

by | Jan 25, 2025 | Committee Meetings

Report of Committee Meeting

Date: 25th January 2025

DABAL – Committee Meeting 
Location: Indra Arulrajah’s Residence (one of our committee members)
The committee meeting commenced with a warm welcome at the residence of Indra Arulrajah, one of our esteemed committee members, who graciously hosted the gathering and treated everyone to delicious food.
Agenda Items Discussed: Adding Matale Koswana Special School to Donation List:

Donation school list for this year
1. Kandy – Senkadagala Deaf and Blind – Dodamwela
2. Matara – Rohana Special school – Welegoda
3. Gampaha – St Joseph’s School for the Deaf – Ragama
4. Kurunegala – Sandagala Special school – Uhumeeya
5. Matale – Koswana Special school – Kaikawala

The committee discussed the possibility of including Matale Koswana Special School in our donation list. Key considerations included the school’s needs and the potential impact of our support.

Future Projects:

The committee deliberated on upcoming projects and initiatives that align with our mission and vision. Various ideas were proposed, and further discussions will be held to finalise the plans.

Welcoming New Members:
Secretary Gaz Hameed: Officially welcomed as the new secretary.
New Committee Members: Shehan Pinidiya and Nanda Sandagiri were introduced and welcomed into the committee.

 

 

BUDS Charity Night visit by DABAL Trustees

BUDS Charity Night visit by DABAL Trustees

by | Jan 4, 2025 | Events

BUDS – 2025

Chairman Lionel Bandara, Vice Chairman Ranjith Chandrasena, Treasurer Ruvini Ranatunga, and other friends from Deaf and Blind Aid Lanka charity organisation attended the Batticaloa Underprivileged Development Society charity night. Chairman Lionel Bandara was invited to light the candle during the opening ceremony. They were warmly welcomed, enjoyed traditional dancing, and had a delightful dinner. The trustees extended a warm welcome to the DABAL trustees as well.

BUDS is a non-governmental, non-religious, and non-profit organization committed to actively enhancing the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families, and communities by eliminating barriers to opportunity and helping people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work and education.

DABAL representatives met Hon Sugath De Silva

DABAL representatives met Hon Sugath De Silva

by | Dec 2, 2024 | School-Projects

A meeting with Hon. Sugath De Silva in Sri Lanka

Since Shehan Pinidiya and I are in Sri Lanka, we managed to visit and have a meeting where we discussed useful information that we can utilise for our fourth round of a similar project within the same budget, which can be beneficial.

During our meeting, Hon. De Silva ( Hon de Silva is the first parliament member in the Sri Lanka history who selected to the current parliament on behalf of blind and Deaf people same like our Lord Colin Low) and the president Ms. Pathirage proposed the idea of ‘Smart Classrooms’ for children with hearing impairments, which we believe could greatly enhance their learning experience.

Additionally, we discussed the possibility of identifying objectives for blind children and understanding the current situation in the UK in similar schools.

As a trial, we can plan to implement smart classrooms in two schools with a higher number of blind children. If successful, this initiative could be expanded to other schools, benefiting not only hearing impaired children but also visually impaired children.

They need just a big screen and some other hardware devices with some cables. They agreed to provide more information to us, and we can discuss all in details in our next committee meeting before proceeding.

In a different note I am planning to travel on the 12th of December to Mathale to make sure if that new school is under our criteria to receive funds.

Lionel Bandara
Chairman – Deaf and Blind Aid Lanka

Christmas Carol – 24.11.2024

Christmas Carol – 24.11.2024

by | Nov 24, 2024 | Events

DABAL Advent Carol Concert 2024

DABAL extended a warm invitation to its Advent Carol Concert, held in the magnificent setting of St. John’s Church, Waterloo. The event commenced with a heartfelt Welcome Speech by the Chairperson of DABAL, followed by a choir Processional towards the altar.

The concert featured a diverse mix of solo and choral performances, showcasing music by classical composers such as Handel, Britten, Manz, and Adams. The audience also enjoyed well-known congregational and Nativity hymns, encouraging full participation.

The programme included:

  • Opening and Closing Prayers: Read by Canon Rev. Richard Truss
  • Bible Readings: Presented in both English and Tamil
  • Sinhalese Hymns: Performed by a Sinhalese choir
  • Tamil Hymns: Sung during the Bible readings

    The event was a joyous occasion, bringing together a rich tapestry of musical and cultural expressions. It served as a fitting finale to DABAL’s charitable activities for 2024, leaving attendees with a sense of community and festive spirit.

DABAL – Christmas Carol Service Zoom Meeting

DABAL – Christmas Carol Service Zoom Meeting

by | Oct 20, 2024 | Schools-Visits

Join Us for a Meaningful Celebration

Carol Service in Support of Deaf and Blind Aid Lanka

Experience an evening of unity and joy as we gather to support a noble cause. Our upcoming Carol Service promises to be a heartwarming event filled with music, community, and compassion.

Meeting Recap

Productive Discussions for a Purposeful Event

On October 20, 2024, we held a Zoom meeting that was both productive and inspiring. The primary focus was on organizing the upcoming Carol Service, an event dedicated to supporting Deaf and Blind Aid Lanka. Attendees collaborated effectively, ensuring that every detail was meticulously planned to create a memorable experience for all involved.

Event Running Order

Hodie Processional

Opening the service with a traditional processional hymn.

Gaudate Christus Est Natus

A joyful choral piece celebrating the birth of Christ.

Opening Prayer and Welcome

Led by a representative from Deaf and Blind Aid Lanka.

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

A congregational hymn inviting participation from all attendees.

Sinhala Carol 1

A beautiful carol sung in Sinhala, adding cultural richness to the service.

Tamil Carol 1

A traditional Tamil carol, enhancing the diversity of the event.

Scripture Readings

Passages from Isaiah 9:2 and Isaiah 60:1-3 will be read.

Once in Royal David City

A beloved hymn that tells the story of the nativity.

Music Arrangements

Event Music Roles

The music arrangements for the upcoming Carol Service have been meticulously planned to ensure a harmonious and uplifting experience. Alan will take on the role of organist for the pieces ‘I Wander as I Wonder’ and ‘Glory to God’, bringing his expertise to these beautiful compositions. Jason will lend his tenor voice to the choir and also serve as the organist for ‘Candlelight Carol’, where Alan will switch roles to sing bass due to the dual bass parts. The congregational carols will be selected from the established running order, ensuring a seamless flow of music throughout the event.

Event Dress Code

The dress code for the Carol Service has been thoughtfully designed to reflect the solemnity and joy of the occasion. Participants are requested to wear black skirts or trousers paired with white tops, complemented by black coats. To incorporate the spirit of Advent, touches of purple are encouraged through accessories such as scarves, cravats, ties, and hair bands. For those choosing to wear ethnic attire, please adhere to the specified color scheme to maintain uniformity and elegance.

Dress Code Details

Attendees are encouraged to express their individuality while adhering to the event’s color scheme. The combination of black and white with accents of purple will create a visually cohesive and festive atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience for everyone involved.

Meeting Summary

The recent Zoom meeting was a resounding success, with all participants contributing to the detailed planning of the Carol Service. Key decisions were made regarding the event’s running order, music selections, and attire guidelines. The collaborative spirit and shared enthusiasm were evident, setting a positive tone for the upcoming event. We are excited to see these plans come to fruition and look forward to a memorable gathering that will support Deaf and Blind Aid Lanka.

We extend our gratitude to everyone who participated in the meeting and contributed their ideas and expertise. The anticipation for the Carol Service is building, and we are confident that it will be a meaningful and joyous occasion for all involved.

Stay Tuned for More Updates

We are excited to share more details and music arrangements for the upcoming Carol Service. Your participation is key to making this event a success. Stay connected for further updates!