Our first childrens programme was held at the Damrivi Center at Madiwela , and was conducted by Mrs. Beta Koswatte , one of our counselors.

Rites and rituals	Dhamma Discussion	The popular singer Mr. Rohan Shantha Bulegoda addressing Dhamma through Music
Meditation

This programme was conducted continuously every weekend during the 15th of June 2008 to 1st of October 2008 at the ‘Garandibakina”(Sri Vijaya Rama) Vihara in Medagama- Buttala. The final programme which was also to be the closing ceremony was held to coincide with “Universal Children Day” on 1st October. This year the theme was ‘Make the children in the world happy by listening to them”.

Over 60 school children in Madagama area, between 11 to 16 were keen participants of this programme attending every session without a break.

This programme which has proven to be very affective to correct attitude problems, inculcate right values, develop mental / spiritual health and promote harmony between parent / guardian and child. The children also exhibited their creative arts, essays and poems for viewing by all visitors through out the day.

At the conclusion of this programme, the children offered betel to their parents, and thanked them for their supportiveness, love and kindness and for encouraging them to participate in such a beneficial programme for their future.

The afternoon session was devoted to educate the parents, which was organized to also mark “Elders Day” on this day under the theme. “The role of the parents to bring up a good child”. An open forum at the end of the session allowed parents time for questions which were answered by the Damrivi panel. The days programme ended with the children displaying their individual talents by singing songs and entertaining their parents and visitors.

The high priest Rev- Kubukkana Rathanasara Thero had organized this concluding ceremony in a fitting manner with the help of parents and neighbouring villagers. Many distinguished guests including Managers of Banks, Principals of schools, Grama Niladharis, media personnel and well wishers were also present.

The Damrivi Foundation was represented by its Chairman – Prof. Asanga Thilakaratne, Director Operations – Mrs. Yuki Sirimane, CEO – Mr. Jayantha Kudahetty, Senior Counsellor – Mr. Suranga Amarakoon, Counsellor – Mrs. Irangani Kodithuwakku, Mr. Sarath Amarabandu, who was responsible for successfully conducting this programme from the inception.

Damrivi conducted the childrens’ programme for another batch of children in Medagama village .The programme conducted over 12 weeks was concluded on 4th July with the participation of their parents and Government officials from the area. 82 children of two age groups completed this 3 month programme .

The highlight of the day was the awarding of certificates by Damrivi Foundation to the children who participated in the programme.

A special programme was also conducted as previously for the parents. After being worshipped by their own child, the parents were then educated on how to bring up their children and improve the parent-child relationship.

This was also a very memorable day for the temple and the village. A ‘Nanasala’- rural knowledge centre established by the Information Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) on the initiative of Damrivi Foundation was declared open for the benefit of the people in the area.

With the availability also of a Trainer on hand, this centre provides a great opportunity to enhance the knowledge of both young and old in this remote area, learn IT skills and also explore the world through the Internet.

Damrivi conducted a Children’s Programme at it’s centre in January 2009 for. 55 children from “Sri Lankadara girls home - Wellawatte, Colombo 6" and "Gunasekara girls home- Nawala road, Nawala". The impact of the programme on these children was reported by the matrons and the management of the homes as very positive. The children had shown a distinct change of attitude towards each other and towards the management. They were tolerant, calm and motivated. Above all the children looked forward to attending the progrmme on the due date.They made preparations for same from the morning plucking flowers etc. The Children of Gunasekara home continues to sit together in the evening for a short sessions of meditation after their usual Buddha Vanda.

Damrivi Foundation conducted a programme at the Sakyadeetha Bhikkhuni center , Gorakana for children from around the area selected by the center. 50 children in two batches in the age group 6-10 years and 11 – 14 years participated. The programme was conducted by the Bhikkunies who successfully completed the Diploma Course in psychological counseling conducted by Damrivi. Having successfully completed the programme , the bhikkhunies of the Sakyadeetha Center continues to conduct these programmes in the area under the guidance of Damrivi.

Damrivi completed two Childrens’ programmes at Sri Rideelen Rajamahaviharaya at Gomarankadawela, Trincomalee in July 2009. 50 children of two age groups participated in the first programme. This is an area suffering from the horrendous impact of terrorism for over 30 yrs. The children and adults both around this areas were affected equally by the war.

Damrivi commenced this programme at the initiative and the invitation of the chief monk of the temple and members of the ivil Security Force in the area who saw the need to address the psychological and spiritual needs of these children. A member of the Civil Security Force trained by Damrivi for this purpose, who was also a trainee counselor of Damrivi conducted the programme on a weekly basis under the guidance of Damrivi. The programme was much appreciated both by the parents and children who participated and also by officers of the Civil security Force of the area. These distressed children had no access to any extra curricular activities that children of the rest of the country would take for granted. Further there were no programmes available promoting mental health of children. It was reported that the children and the parents who participated felt a sense of peace and harmony however temporary it may be in an otherwise terrorized environment. In response to an appeal to repeat the programme , Damrivi conducted a second programem at the same venue.