Dialog GSM Change Trust Fund

Dialog GSM takes another step towards transforming the lives of the under privileged through the ‘Change’ Trust Fund. MTN has chosen to financially assist the School for the Deaf in Ratmalana to purchase hearing aid equipments and material for their Ear Mould Laboratory Service Center situated in the School for the Deaf, Ratmanala.

The School for the deaf founded in 1912 was a pioneering venture in showing the community how to deal with those who were disabled. The children are given the same education as any other school and are prepared for the GCE O/L In addition to vocational training, sign language, lip reading and other forms of communication are taught to make the individual independent. The more capable students are sent to normal schools on an integrated program to continue up to G.C.E. A/L and some- of them even enter university.

In the Deaf School these children are given training so that they can take care of themselves. A "Total Communication" method is used which combines oral and manual techniques, including spoken language, sign language, writing, drawing, finger-alphabet and lip reading. The children receive special lessons in groups of 2 or 3 to stimulate their language and speech development. In these small groups they get more individual attention to learn to communicate.

Classes are not based on age but on the cognitive level of the child. All the subjects of a basic school are taught. Much attention is given to subjects requiring the children to express themselves as this is an area where they typically have problems. Suppressed emotions are brought out through drama, via an experienced drama teacher.

Dance lessons are given to the accompaniment of a drum, from which they can receive the vibrations. During the weekends an artist gives painting lessons. The pupils have won various prizes at art competitions. The school also facilitates the children to develop their capabilities in sports such as cricket, volleyball, netball and other inter house games.

"Change" transformed the lives of these children by refurbishing the ear mould laboratory in the first phase in year 2OOO and then showed its commitment by donating Ear Molding Equipments in year 2OO1.

The ear mould laboratory not only caters for inmates of the School for the Deaf, but also to the community at large. At the ear mould laboratory ear moulds are made to fit contours of each individuals ear under the guidance of a technician trained abroad.

September, 26 2003, Dialog invited Sri Lanka’s former Cricket Captain Sanath Jayasuriya and the Captain of Sri Lanka’s one day Cricket Team Marvan Atapattu who are also Dialog CHANGE subscribers to officially handover the purchased material and equipments to the ear mould laboratory at the School for the Deaf, Ratmalana.

The children warmly welcomed their cricket heros with a guest of honor and entertained them with dance programs done by the students. The children also had the pleasure of getting the cricketers autographs and even taking pictures with them.