An Innovative Rotary Program to Promote Values in Children

An Innovative Rotary Program to Promote Values in Children

Season 4 Honda Purudu Championship Finals were held at the Temple Trees Auditorium on the 27th of April, with the Rotary district governor, Mr. Sushena Ranatunga, as the chief guest. The governor enlightened the audience, filled with teachers, principals and other educators the importance of bringing back the lost values in our country. He thanked the children for learning and expressing these important values using performing arts and advised them to make them part of their daily lives.

Children in Sri Lanka are navigating a world filled with complex moral dilemmas and often lack the guidance to cultivate essential values like kindness, honesty, and respect. Honda Purudu Championship is part of the Little Minds Strong Values (LMSV) program, conceptualised by Rotarian Rukshan Perera, supported by the Rotary Club of Colombo Metropolitan, and collaborated with the Ministry of Education to roll out to schools around the country. LMSV attracts the children with engaging, value-embedded, video-animated songs that teach core values while inspiring the child

ren to express these values and perform skits in school and join the Honda Purudu Championship through the performing arts. This process aspires to place values education at the forefront of children’s lives (in school and at home) and mould the next generation to become compassionate and responsible leaders.

HONDA PURUDU CHAMPIONSHIP: The annual Honda Purudu Championship further encourages children and schools to participate and sustain these values while winning Awards & Certificates. It is open to preschoolers, primary and secondary schoolers in the Solo and Group categories. As a byproduct, the children continue to enhance their talents in the performing arts.

Season 4 LMSV Championship has made remarkable strides with more than 11,000 children showcasing active engagement nationwide, with schools embracing LMSV values in various innovative ways, benefiting thousands of children. The professional judges selected 140 children, and they were invited to the finals in Colombo. They came from North, South, East and West – Jaffna, Ampara, Batticaloa, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Badulla, and several other big cities and small towns. Children selected LMSV songs of their choice to eagerly express these values via Song, Dance, Speech, and Drama. In the process, they surprised the audience with their fabulous talents, wearing beautiful costumes, expressing these values in the mediums they enjoy, and elevating the afternoon to an impressive event.

The principals, teachers and other educators spoke very highly of the event; “We are thankful to the Ministry of Education and Rotary for introducing LMSV to schools”, “This is an innovative program for children to build future leaders with good morals”, “Every child must be exposed to the LMSV program to build the future of our country”…etc.

COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITE TO DRIVE THE PROCESS: LMSV website WWW.LMSV.LK provides a comprehensive platform that connects educators with integrated tools in one seamless experience. It’s a one-stop shop for teachers, parents, students, and the community to learn the program via online tutorials, guides, and presentations.

This is an annual event organised by the Rotary Club of Colombo Metropolitan, and we welcome all school principals, teachers and parents around the country to help the children join the Honda Purudu Championship and learn these important values for life. Season 5 will begin in May 2025.