Buvindu Manamperi: Painting one smile at a time

07 Aug 2021

Buvindu Manamperi: Painting one smile at a time

07 Aug 2021

By Kusumanjalee Thilakarathna Buvindu Achindra Manamperi is a 12 year old boy, who has set his heart on a mission to help the needy. What makes this young social worker’s mission special is how he funds his projects. His most recent humanitarian project, a scholarship programme for the underprivileged students is funded with the income he generates by selling his oil paintings on his Facebook page Buvi’s oil paintings. Buvindu is a skillful artist with a special talent for oil painting. Buvindu, would you like to introduce yourself to the Little Stars audience. My Name is Buvindu Achindra Manamperi and I am 12 years old. I am a student of Lyceum International School, Nugegoda and I am in Grade 7. My father is Wijitha Manamperi. He is a lawyer by profession, and also a very popular social worker and holds many key positions in Lions Clubs International as the Governor, Multiple Council Chairman and GAT Area Larder. My mother is Nilanka Weveldeniya. She is in the advertising field as a company director. I am the only child in the family but blessed with lovely cousins and family. Can you tell us more about the scholarship programme that you have started? The pandemic was not easy for most of us. I always knew although I have everything I need there are many people, especially children who cannot fulfil their basic requirements. This did not feel right. So I thought of using my leisure time for a worthy cause. I felt the urge to do something good to lighten up a needy child’s life even in a small way. So I thought of using my artistic talents to help someone. I started to do oil paintings and sell them. I was surprised to receive such great responses and appreciation from the ones around me. With the money collected, I started a scholarship programme for five needy children for one year every month. This isn’t the first time that you helped the underprivileged children on your own, is it? I have always had the blessing of participating in the projects my parents carried out for the Lions Clubs. When I was 8, I was able to donate 10 pairs of shoes to children. I collected money for this cause by selling birthday and Christmas cards that I made. A couple of years ago, with the help of a few of my relatives, I was able to help a very needy family to reconstruct their roof. How do these projects make you feel? Well, it makes me feel very happy. But it’s a feeling that goes beyond happiness. I am actually at a loss of words to describe what that feeling is. It’s a wonderful feeling that you get when you get to see the smiles on the faces of these children when they get what they can’t afford. What inspired you to help people like this? It’s mainly my parents. I have seen how they have made it their mission to support people from a very young age. That’s what motivated me. And I also believe that part of this motivation is coming from my teachers too. I am grateful to them. Who are your supporters? As a 12-year-old child, I am proud that I was able to contribute my talents to these humanitarian projects. I must thank my parents for their guidance and motivation given to me and for raising me with that influence from my younger days. Your main source of funding for your current project is your oil paintings. Since when have you been drawing? I started drawing even before I went to nursery. I used to hang my drawings on the wall when I was young. My parents were able to identify that my talent was special even from that young age and introduced me to an art teacher, Mr. Wasantha Upul. He took me through a journey of training. We started with the simplest techniques and tried out different things. After trying out different mediums for many years, I realised that the one I like the most and the one that suits me the most is oil paintings. I have entered many competitions and have been on the podium multiple times. I must thank all my art teachers who have taught me from Grade One till now. You are also a sportsman. Tell us more. Yes. I was lucky to do many sports thanks to my school. I have tried out gymnastics, karate, cricket and swimming. But I think I love swimming the most. Because of my tight schedules, I had to continue swimming only. I am a member of the A squad in school swimming and I have participated in many all-island meets as well as school house meets. I had won many medals and once I became the under 10 boy’s school swimming champion at our school meet. Unfortunately due to this pandemic most of the meets got cancelled and I couldn’t achieve my targets as planned. I should appreciate my coaches Sir Nishantha and all the coaches at the swimming department in Lyceum Nugegoda for transforming me into who I am today. I shouldn’t forget my fitness coach Sir Kamal. However, although we are mostly stuck at home I make sure that I follow my fitness routine at my home gym, so I am not falling behind my fitness schedule. I believe it’s important for everyone to be physically active even though their regular sporting schedules are disrupted. What is your favourite subject in school? It’s science. So, is your ambition science-related? Well, yes. I want to become a mechatronics engineer. This is a field that will demand knowledge from different areas. And it’s a very interesting subject. I also want to become a good swimmer, and of course, continue with my projects. We hear that you are also a talented singer and a guitar player. I am a member of the school choir. More than that, singing and playing the guitar is one of my hobbies. What are your other hobbies? I love to read books. My favourite author is J.K Rowling and my favourite book series is Harry Potter. I also love to travel. My favourite place to travel in Sri Lanka is Kuruwita, Ratnapura which is my father’s hometown. It’s a lovely place with beautiful scenery with paddy fields and a great atmosphere. We have also built a pool there. My dream destination is the United Kingdom. I have already been there but I would love to go there again. My most favourite part of the UK is their architecture. What are your other talents? I am a good speaker and a performer. I have received so many opportunities to be an assembly speaker, announcer and speech and drama performer at school. I must thank all my effective speech teachers, Ms. Odile and all the teachers at Theotron for all the guidance. Also, I am a member of the school junior choir and I am a gold star holder of Cub Scouts. What is your message to our readers? I have no words to express the happiness and satisfaction I have gained by helping the needy in society. So give something to others, enjoy the joy of giving. Let’s all hope that our simple gestures will make the world a better place for everyone. Also my request from you all to subscribe to my channel “Buvindu Manamperi” and like my art page “Buvi’s Oil Paintings” on Facebook. Stay safe.

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Buvindu Manamperi: Painting one smile at a time

Buvindu Manamperi: Painting one smile at a time

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