As the country went into lockdown, children found themselves with an indefinite holiday. A few days later, many schools started online classes and sent study packs, but still the children were faced with an unusual situation. They had much free time with the added bonus of having parents and the whole family at home, but were restricted and could not hang out with friends or visit them and relatives. But children are resilient and resourceful, and they found their own creative solutions to the lockdown.
We feature here how some of these children spent lockdown creatively and fruitfully.
How I spent the lock down
This holiday was different to other holidays. As all of you know, this holiday was given to stop the deadly coronavirus spreading among the community. However, for me, this long holiday has a mixture of happy and sad feelings. I am happy that my parents are working from home. They made delicious food such as the pineapple upside down cake, fish buns, pasta pie, bread pizza and I made cookies and butter biscuits. I spent a lot of time with my brother and with my dolls or making furniture like chairs, tables, beds or sewing dresses, shirts and skirts for them. I am also hoping to make a doll’s house.
Every afternoon I play football with my brother and we have lots of fun. I read books by Geronimo Stillton and one was Travel through Time. Running Wild by Micheal Morpurgo and Mermaid Kingdom were two other books and these are some of my favourites. I am having school lessons through Zoom too. My parents are in to gardening and it gives me a passion for it too. I have planted tomatoes, brinjal and jasmines. I decorated my room by crafting various items.
I made sure that I studied daily and did my homework. Sometimes, I chat with my friends. I made Vesak lanterns with my family and built a Lego city from Lego bricks. I learned to play my favourite songs on the piano.
I feel sad because I can't go to meet my grandparents and play with my friends or go to school to do my sports activities: tennis, swimming and chess. I also miss Sunday school. I miss trips that we go on during holidays. I hope to see this situation become normal. However, I wish that my parents continue to work from home.
Sandali Perera,
Grade 6,
Bishop's College, Colombo.
When I was locked down
The country was locked down due to Covid-19. I had to spend this period safely at home with my family. In the first week, I had my online term test and I did my best for it. Thereafter, I relaxed and in these joyful days I played cricket with my brother and father. I also helped my father with home gardening. My brother and I watered the vegetable plants. During the Sinhala and Hindu New Year, I and my family participated in the New Year celebrations. Then came the Vesak Festival and we made Vesak lanterns and commemorated Vesak at home. Then I had some online oratory competitions which were organised by the Sinhala Oratory and Debating Society in my school, Royal College, Colombo. I spent a memorable time with my beloved family members.
Minuga Chanmira
Grade 10, Royal College, Colombo 7.
Life in lockdown
As the world was on lockdown due to the deadly global pandemic Covid -19, many people felt that their lives had come to a jarring halt. Sri Lanka was no exception. As a teenager and a student, I felt that this was a severe blow to us, children who think spending never-ending days within the walls of our home, no less than a prison sentence.
When the Government announced schools would be closed for two weeks I welcomed the break from studies to relax. But as it soon became apparent that school would be closed for an indefinite period and we were to be cooped up at home, I had my misgivings. Nevertheless, I optimistically took up the challenge of lockdown and tried to make the best of my time at home.
I let my creativity flow freely by drawing and doing crafts. I also tried out new recipes and polished my skills in baking with my older sister. Even my bicycle which had been collecting dust in the garage for some time was taken out, patched up and ridden again. The New Year was a rather subdued affair sans any gifts, relatives or my favourite sweetmeats. But after a long time, I found myself having fun and doing things together with my family whose busy schedule would not have allowed it before.
To prevent my brain from gathering cobwebs, I also studied and revised what I have learnt. No less than a month from lockdown, my school began conducting online lessons and distributing study packs in the school LMS, (a completely new experience for me,)to make sure that our education does not come to a standstill.
Although this was somewhat effective, it was still a mile away from being really at school where I get to be around my friends whom I missed early now.
However, when gloom and boredom threatened to engulf my mind, I reminded myself of what tragedies are gripping the world at present and the hardships faced by people, to not spend these days in idle but to work even harder.
I will keep hoping that this threat to our lives which has claimed so many will soon disappear and I eagerly anticipate the moment when we can finally go outside and enjoy our freedom after days in lockdown!
Oneli Hiranya Perera,
Grade 12,
Musaeus College, Colombo 7.