Educational sponsorships are a rare opportunity that arises for those from poor rural villages. It is for this reason that the Foundation of Goodness (FoG) has created a scheme in which students from remote backgrounds can pursue their higher education with the assistance of its donors and supporters. Having provided over 200 educational scholarships so far to students from Seenigama and its surrounding regions, the numbers continue to increase.

Majority of the students come from large families in poor rural areas with not many opportunities available. It is not often that a prospect presents itself whereby a group of students are given the chance to pursue their studies further and fulfill their childhood dreams.

Taking this into account, Mr Charith Wickramasuriya from Australia decided to sponsor a group of 20 medical students at the University of Ruhuna, Faculty of Medicine in Karapitiya. Majority of the students are from various villages in the Seenigama region such as Ambalantota, Ambalangoda and Hikkaduwa, to name a few and are currently completing their second year of medical college. Thanks to the generosity provided by Mr Wickramasuriya, they can be rest assured that they are able to complete their degree, allowing them a chance to even specialize in their area of interest.

Mr & Mrs Stewart and Heather Ritchie living in Sri Lanka have also extended their assistance by sponsoring another group of 25 university students. These students are not only enrolled in medicine but also in other courses such as art, engineering and management, at the Universities of Ruhuna, Peradeniya, Jayawardenepura, Kaleniya and Colombo.

The sponsorship scheme is established to cover expenses incurred by the students, which include board and lodging, food supplies, photocopies and necessary study material, which they often find difficult in meeting, having originated from disadvantaged communities.

The sponsorships were presented to both these groups at two special ceremonies conducted by the FoG, one at the computer training centre and the other at the business skills centre at the MCC Centre of Excellence in Seenigama. A letter confirming sponsorship was presented to each student who accepted it with great delight.

Dr W.S.H Silva from the medical centre at the MCC Centre of Excellence addressed the students, providing advice on how to succeed in the medical profession. He encouraged them to study hard and to utilize this sponsorship opportunity to the best of their ability as it will guarantee them a successful medical career.

‘T.W. Iresha Tharangani’, a bright 22 year old second year medical student who began her medical studies at the University of Ruhuna in 2006, with a burning ambition to become a doctor, was grateful to have received this opportunity.
‘I am thankful to the sponsors for this great gift which has been a huge blessing for me, which I would not have been able to have in the past due to financial restrictions’ she said.
Having gained outstanding academic results, she has always had a passion to study medicine. Now she can fulfill her childhood dream and serve her country. She explains that without the sponsorship, she would never have been able to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor or even been able to take on higher studies at all.
‘My heartfelt thanks goes to Mr Wickramasuriya and also the Trustee of FoG, Mr Kushil Gunasekera’ she continued.

If not for sponsorships, poverty-stricken families are unable to achieve and complete their education to the fullest. The sponsorship scheme encourages students such as Iresha to develop her skills, pursue her studies and achieve her goals.

It is important to acknowledge other generous sponsors from around the world who have reached out to assist this worthy cause, in supporting the educational needs of rural village children in and around the Seenigama region.

If you are interested in supporting a medical student or university student – whether it be for one year or through their entire degree - please contact FoG’s Project Management Co-ordinator Ananda Jayawardena on +94-115 373341 or email ucc@sltnet.lk. 
 
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