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October 27, 2008
Message to 2008 Leaders' Course Participants from Ms. Shalika - Sri Lanka
To all participants of the 2008 Leadership Development Course,
I sincerely wish all of you the very best and hope that you too will learn as much as I did about the facilities afforded to PWDs in Japan. I was able to experience how technology is used to make life better for us - things I would never even have dreamt of. I was so thrilled with the Braille tiles on the floor and the talking elevator. In Sri Lanka, I could never travel alone in an elevator as there aren't any talking ones. I was also amazed by the Personal Assistant and Job Assistant scheme. How easy life would be if such a thing could be implemented in our countries too. It is sometimes hard to implement every good thing one experiences in Japan as ours are developing countries and have many financial constraints. But I will always endeavour to get atleast some of them implemented. It might take ages but I'll keep on bugging the authorities - So must you !
My training period in Japan was also a learning experience of the challenges that others with different disabilities face daily. There are four participants with vision impairment this year whereas in my year, I was the only one. My friend, Andrea from Costa Rica was my sight and I was her feet. Together, we wandered the streets around the JICA centre during our free time. Believe me, we were a good combination. Bing Quang from China also helped me out when moving around. We learnt valuable lessons of co-existance. We helped each other not only with our physical difficulties but also in other ways. Leo from Belize was the singer in our group and always made sure that everyone was cheerful. Fabio from Columbia was the computer genius and we sought his assistance when something went wrong with our laptops. Bing Quang was the person who made it sure that there was always discipline and law and order. Ruby from Vanvatu was ever ready to help others. She and Khem Phong from Laos were skilled in handicraft and fixed whatever we needed. Andrea was a teacher and translator and thus helped out with the preparation of reports. The experience I received in Japan is very unique and I am glad I got the opportunity. I am sure you too will feel the same. So good luck with your future endeavours.
A special note to the participant from Sri Lanka, please contact me and perhaps we can work together to make Sri Lanka a more disable friendly nation.
Shalika Karunaratne
Participant from Sri Lanka
Leadership Development Course - 2006
Posted by jicafriends at October 27, 2008 07:49 PM
Comments
28th Oct 2008
Dear Shalika Karunaratne,
Thank you very much for kind and inspiring message from Sri Lanka. Specially, I would like to thank you for inviting me to work together. I’m current year participant from Sri Lanka. Our training programme has just been started. Please inform your contact via e-mail. I’ll contact you after my returning.
Thank you very much,
Yours sincerely,
S.Jayakugan,
Sri Lanka.
Posted by: Mr.S.Jayakugan at October 28, 2008 11:31 PM
I interest your organization and your member.
Posted by: phyuphyuhlaing at November 5, 2008 11:25 AM
Yep helping each other is the best fomula that ever help in what ever level we are able or disable people as we are equal and help in a way possible.
Jica met us to be more uniqe/determine/confidence in any angle and I will not forget my knowledge I have learnts when I was at TIC tokyo under JICA, JSRPD, JICE and those who are involved.
Last but not lest Happy Christmas for those cchristians and bless New year to everyone read this.
Regards,
Cecilia Singoon
Malaysia
Posted by: Cecilia Singoon at December 24, 2008 02:36 PM