Every Brilliant Thing: A Partnership with a Purpose
Mental health conversations often begin with awareness, but the real challenge lies in creating spaces where people feel comfortable having them. Bringing together the performing arts and humanitarian advocacy, Peterite Arts Foundation's production of Every Brilliant Thing, staged at Kamatha Studio, BMICH, from 5 to 8 November, in collaboration with World Vision Lanka, seeks to do just that. Through its Every Mind Matters initiative, World Vision continues to champion the importance of mental wellbeing, particularly among children and young people. In this conversation with Stanlake Kaziboni - Director Partnerships and Resources Development, we explore the thinking behind the partnership, the role of storytelling in challenging stigma and why making mental wellbeing a shared responsibility matters now more than ever.
Q. Peterite Arts Foundation’s collaboration with World Vision Lanka for Every Brilliant Thing brings together two seemingly different spaces: humanitarian development and the performing arts. What made this partnership particularly meaningful for World Vision, and what drew the organisation to this production?
Sometimes, the most meaningful conversations begin in unexpected places – a classroom, a family gathering or, in this instance, a theatre. At World Vision Lanka, we believe every child deserves not just to survive, but to thrive. And thriving means feeling loved, valued, heard and hopeful. That is what makes our partnership with PeteriteArts Foundation and Every Brilliant Thing so special. This deeply human production reminds us that life’s smallest moments – a reassuring smile, a friend’s kindness or simply someone who listens – can make all the difference. By courageously addressing difficult subjects such as depression and suicide, the production highlights the importance of empathy, connection and hope. Because changing a life doesn't always begin with a grand gesture. Sometimes, it begins with noticing, listening and caring enough to stay.
Q. The play explores depression, suicide and the ways in which seemingly ordinary moments can give life meaning. How does its central message connect with World Vision's broader work in promoting mental wellbeing, particularly among children and young people?
Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness can make the biggest difference. A teacher noticing a child’s struggles, offering a smile or simply taking the time to listen can have a lasting impact. At World Vision Lanka, we believe mental wellbeing is an essential part of child development. Children are more than students or statistics; they are individuals whose emotional wellbeing shapes how they learn, build relationships and see themselves. Through our child wellbeing work, we advocate for safe, supportive environments where children can develop confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging. This vision is also at the heart of SHIKSHA, our 50th anniversary initiative to transform 50 schools across Sri Lanka into spaces where children can do more than learn – they can feel valued, supported and empowered to thrive
Q. In Every Brilliant Thing, the audience doesn’t just watch; they become part of the story. That idea echoes World Vision’s own philosophy: that change doesn’t have to wait for governments or authorities to act, and that every one of us can play a part, however big or small. How does that spirit of shared responsibility shape the work you do?
Meaningful change begins when we move from being observers to becoming part of the story. At World Vision Lanka, we believe it takes a community to build a better future for every child. No single organisation can do it alone. It takes schools, families, communities, businesses and individuals working together. That is the spirit of SHIKSHA – bringing people together to transform 50 schools across Sri Lanka. Whether it is supporting a smart classroom, improving school facilities or providing learning resources, every contribution matters. Because you don’t have to do something extraordinary to change a child’s life. You simply have to do something. Just as Every Brilliant Thing invites its audience to become part of the story, we invite every Sri Lankan to become part of a child's story of hope. Together, we can make a difference, one child and one school at a time.
Q. We often speak about mental health in terms of identifying problems and finding solutions, but how important is it to also create environments where children and young people feel comfortable expressing themselves, asking for help and knowing that they are not alone?
Sometimes, children don’t need us to have all the answers. They just need us to notice, to listen and to let them know that it's okay to talk about how they feel. A child who becomes unusually quiet, stops participating or is afraid to make a mistake may be trying to tell us something. We need to look beyond their behaviour and understand what they might be going through. A kind word, a little patience or simply asking, “Are you okay?” can mean more than we realise. This is what we hope to nurture through SHIKSHA. Transforming 50 schools is not just about better buildings, technology or facilities. It is about creating places where children feel safe, accepted and supported – places where they can ask questions, make mistakes, share their worries and be themselves. Because every child deserves to walk into a school feeling that they matter, that someone cares and that they belong.
Q. As World Vision Lanka marks 50 years in Sri Lanka, you’re celebrating by transforming 50 schools, two in each district. Tell us about this milestone and what it means for the children in those schools. For readers who are moved to help, whether or not they see the play, how can they support this initiative directly?
Fifty years is a milestone worth celebrating, but for World Vision Lanka, it is also a reminder of how much more we can do for the children of Sri Lanka. For five decades, we have walked alongside children, families and communities, seeing first-hand how the right opportunities can change a child's life. And what better way to celebrate this journey than by investing in the places where so many childhood dreams begin – our schools? That is the inspiration behind SHIKSHA – 50 Years of Impact, 50 Schools of Hope. Through this initiative, we hope to transform 50 resource-poor schools, two in each district, and reach more than 15,000 children. Every child has dreams and potential. Yet, not every child has the same opportunities to realise them. While some have access to technology, well-equipped classrooms and supportive learning environments, others struggle with even the most basic facilities. SHIKSHA is about closing that gap and giving every child a fairer chance. Our vision goes beyond better classrooms and smart learning facilities. It includes IT laboratories, health and nutrition, clean water and sanitation, sports, environmental sustainability, mental wellbeing and child protection. But what matters most is what these changes mean to a child. A child discovering a love for technology, a student looking forward to coming to school or a young girl finding the confidence to raise her hand and dream bigger. These are the moments we want to make possible. And we want you to be part of this journey. You don't have to be a large organisation or a major donor to make a difference. Whether you contribute as an individual, a family, a group of friends or a business, every contribution brings us closer to changing a child's experience of school – and perhaps their future.
Join us in building 50 schools of hope.
Support SHIKSHA through our official donation platform:
https://www.donate.worldvision.lk/projects/?p_id=32
One day, a child supported through SHIKSHA may become a teacher, an engineer, an artist or a leader who gives back to their community. We may never know how far today’s kindness will travel, but we know that when we invest in children, we invest in generations to come.
Because 50 years of impact should be the beginning of many more years of hope.
Q. Beyond raising funds, when the final curtain falls, what would success look like for World Vision Lanka: a wider conversation, a deeper public awareness, or a new community of people committed to the cause for the long term?
I think success would be seeing all three come together. Of course, we hope this production generates meaningful support for SHIKSHA. Every contribution brings us closer to transforming a school and creating better opportunities for children. But I would also consider it a success if someone leaves the theatre and decides to have a conversation they have been avoiding. Perhaps a parent goes home and asks their child, not just whether they finished their homework, but whether they are happy. Perhaps a teacher becomes more conscious of the quiet child at the back of the classroom. Perhaps a friend reaches out to someone they haven’t heard from in a while. These may seem like small things, but they can be the beginnings of something significant.
I would also hope that the production encourages us to move beyond simply talking about mental health when a crisis occurs. We need to build a culture where emotional wellbeing is part of everyday conversations, where asking for help is encouraged and where people feel supported rather than judged. And, most importantly, I would love to see a lasting community emerge from this partnership: people who are willing to champion children's wellbeing, support better schools and become active participants in creating change. When the curtain falls, the conversation should continue. Because the real measure of success is not how many people watched the play. It is how many people were moved to do something differently afterwards.
Q. Looking ahead, do you see opportunities for World Vision Lanka to collaborate further with the arts, media and creative industries to advance conversations around mental health? What role do you believe these sectors can play in creating a more supportive environment for young people?
Absolutely. I believe we have only just begun to explore what is possible. The arts have a unique way of bringing people together, helping us feel, understand and talk about things that are sometimes difficult to put into words. For children and young people, creativity can also give them a voice. A child who may struggle to talk about their feelings might find it easier to express themselves through art, music, drama, photography or storytelling. Imagine schools where children are encouraged to share their stories, express their emotions and explore the world through creativity. These experiences can build confidence, empathy and a sense of belonging.We see wonderful opportunities to work with artists, filmmakers, musicians, journalists and media organisations to bring these conversations closer to people. And when it comes to subjects such as mental health and suicide, it is important that these stories are shared with sensitivity, care and responsibility. This connects beautifully with what we hope to achieve through SHIKSHA. We want schools to be places where children learn not just for examinations, but for life – where they discover their talents, find their confidence and know that their voices matter.Ultimately, every child, wherever they are born or whatever their circumstances, deserves the freedom to dream and the opportunity to make those dreams a reality. That, perhaps, is the connection between Every Brilliant Thing and our work at World Vision Lanka. The play reminds us to appreciate the little things that make life meaningful. SHIKSHA reminds us that we all have a part to play in giving children more reasons to hope. Because sometimes, changing the world doesn’t begin with changing everything. It begins with changing one child’s world.
