August 2010

“The only time I was happy was when I was following the course. My sadness would leave me and I would go to a world of fantasy and dreams. Each day I would look forward to the classes because I learnt so many things I never knew before”, stated Vathani a student who attended the Beauty Culture and Bridal Dressing course held at Pempemadu and Puntottam Womens’ Rehabilitation Centers, Vavuniya .

The training programme was conducted together by Alliance Development Trust (ADT) and the Government’s Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation. On 14th August, thirty six female ex-combatants received certificates on completing a short term course on Beauty Culture and Bridal Dressing. The awards ceremony which was held at Pempemadu rehabilitation center was followed by a stunning bridal show produced by the trainees themselves.

In December 2009 the Government of Sri Lanka invited ADT to help with the vocational training programmes they had planned for the female ex-combatants living in the camps. ADT commenced a comprehensive 3 month course in May 2010 which covered facials, make-up, re-bonding and perming hair, manicure, pedicure and bridal dressing. The female students were in the ages of 20-45 years. They were females not selected for any other courses held in these camps. They were considered ‘slow’ and ‘backward’. As the course took shape the participants’ talents just took off. It was amazing to see the change in them as they put into practice what they learnt. From the hairstyles to the clothes they wore and the colour combinations they selected, it was very apparent that they were serious about their new vocation.

ADT improvised a salon amidst the camps with the very basic facilities available there. It was a great challenge for ADT’s resource persons to conduct practical sessions under these trying conditions. The students were only familiar with Hindu bridals and Tamil way of dressing up. Under the Bridal dressing category they learnt about Western bridals, Kandyan bridals, Indian bridals, Hindu bridals and going-away bridal attire. At the end of the course the students were required to sit for a written examination, a practical test as well as compile a manual of what they had learnt.

The culmination of this course was the awards ceremony which was held at Pempemadu on 14th August. At the awards ceremony the students sang a welcome song composed by them for the invitees.  ADT provided the students with a special outfit which they wore when they went up to receive the certificate of participation. Amongst the special invitees was Brigadier S. Ranasinghe, RWP RSP, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation. Each student was permitted to invite 2 family members to the awards ceremony.  The bridal show produced by the students was the grand finale to the awards ceremony. The beautiful sarees and costumes on display were all provided by well wishers.

“We never had an opportunity to follow a course like this before. My sister learnt dancing and I’ve always wanted to learn beauty culture. Besides, now I can even go abroad and make a livelihood with what I have learnt. My parents too are very happy for me”, said Selvarajini, another student who followed this course.
The students experienced true commitment, care and love showered by ADT’s resource personnel throughout the period of the course. It was a time of true reconciling. In gratitude of the devoted work carried out by ADT the Government of Sri Lanka awarded ADT with a certificate of appreciation.