October 15th is the Day where we remember the WHITE CANE. The VAORD in view of raising awareness on the White Cane and White Cane users, organized awareness programmes in different places.

This time, VAROD targeted the School children to conscientize about the day & its importance. The main objective to choose the school children was “by making aware of the school students, building up the future society with concern for the differently abled persons and by making them aware to reach the wider society where the students live. In this way the following places were fortunate to have our awareness programmes.

1. Visuvamadhu Maha Vithyalayam, Mullaittivu

On the 17th of October, 2011, the White Cane Day was commemorated at Visuvamadhu. The People with disabilities were welcomed by the school students. Nearly 200 students from year 09 to Advance Level Class were gathered for the event together with the teachers and the School Principal Mr. Balasubramaniyam. The event began at 11.30 am at the school hall. Mr. Yasotharan, who has dedicated to empower the sight impaired persons, revealed the glory of White Cane. Children with disabilities performed poem reciting on the topic “Irulukul Ozhiliru Theebam” (The Burning Light in the Dark), songs etc… Mrs. Jeevarani in her speech highlighted that fact of more students with disabilities attending school at present, can become graduates- if the society too give hand.

2. Rambaikulam Girls Maha Vidhyalayam, Vavuniya

On the 19th of October, 2011, the awareness programme was held at the Rambaikulam Girls Maha Vidhyalayam, Vavuniya. The event began at 12 Afternoon in the Aquinas hall. Nearly 250 students from the Advanced Level & Ordinary Levels had gathered. The school Principal Rev. Sr. Josephine Santhiyagupillai HF and other teachers were present at the occasion. The usage of the white cane and the message based on it was presented by Ms. Dayani. A drama conveying the message on self confidence was staged by a group of physically challenged actors. VAROD’s vision and its dream for the Differently abled persons were briefed by Mr. Amirthananthan, the VAROD Advocacy Officer.

3. Central College, Kilinochchi

21st of October was set apart for the awareness programme in Kilinochchi Central College. Around 1 pm all the students and the participant gathered in the School hall. Nearly 200 Students from year 10 to Advanced level with their teachers participated. The School Principal Mr. M. Raveenthiran delivered the gracing speech to the event. Mr. Yasotharan, the Occupational Therapist for the sight impaired, spoke on the importance of the White cane & the life of the Sight impaired persons. There were songs, dance and poems. The drama by the physically challenged people was a means to give message to the students about the situation of the PWDs in the society. When Mrs. Vijeyaluxmi delivered her speech, she placed the challenge to include the children with disabilities too into education in every sphere. Nearly 45 Persons with different disabilities and 15 voluntary social workers for the CBR had taken part to this event.