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While the importance of traditional school-based education cannot be denied, it is important to develop other facets of learning as well, so that Uluru Children's Home children grow into confident adults with a well-rounded personality. Hence, artistic and sporting activities are recent additions to the extra-curricular activities at UCH, which have so far been very well received.
In order for the older children to develop an appreciation for traditional arts, they attend weekly dance and music classes. Bharat Natyam, one of the oldest and most popular forms of classical Indian dance, is taught at UCH. The girls with an aptitude for singing learn Carnatic Sangeet, a form of classical vocal music from South India, while the boys are given lesson in the mridangam, a double-sided drum.
Currently, the only regular sporting activity that the UCH children partake in, apart from the physical education (PE) classes held at school, is the bi-weekly karate lessons. They learn self-defence, and discipline, and karate also provides a means of exercise. Some of the children have progressed up to Green Belt level.
As PE, athletics and sports are integral to good health and mental and physical agility, plans are underway to build a sports field on the UCH land. Plans are to provide a running and athletics track, and a field to eventually enable the children to play volleyball, basketball, soccer, cricket, hockey, and other sports.
We are currently seeking funds to help with the sports field, and also to give the children access to drama classes to add to their artistic education. If you would like to help us in this area, please visit our donations page, or contact us for more information.
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