Sponsor a medical student and contribute to
Sri Lanka’s wellbeing
Maduwanthi is a bright 24 year-old with
a burning ambition to become a
pediatrician. She has almost everything
it takes to reach her goal – outstanding
academic results, a passion to serve her
country, and a genuine enjoyment of her
medical studies.
Yet without the sponsorship she
receives through the Foundation
of Goodness’s (FoG) ‘sponsor a
medical student’ scheme,
Maduwanthi may never have been
able to pursue her passion due
to one simple obstacle –
poverty.
Coming from a large family in a
poor rural area severely
hampered the opportunities open
to her, despite her dedication.
That’s why sponsors such as Dr
Amara Jayaweera, who is
supporting Maduwanthi’s studies,
are making a massive difference
not only to the individual
student, but to Sri Lanka’s
future.
Through the sponsorship scheme,
Maduwanthi receives 2,500 rupees
per month to pay for board and
lodging close to her university,
as well
as essential study material. This small
amount – equivalent to roughly $25 US –
has given her the opportunity to
continue her studies without placing
pressure on her family’s already scant
resources.
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.
‘In the past I wasn’t able to purchase
the necessary books and I had to use my
money sparingly,’ she said.
‘My family had to sacrifice the quality
of food we all consumed just so I could
manage to purchase even the most
necessary of books.’
Dr Jayaweera, a Professor
qualified with a Doctorate in
Chemistry, based in the UK,
sponsors four students through
the ‘Susila Jayaweera Memorial
Scholarships’ which he
established in memory of his
late wife. Two of these
students, including Maduwanthi,
are undertaking medical studies,
fulfilling his late wife’s
particular wish to support poor
Sri Lankan students as they
study to become doctors.
Late last year, Dr Jayaweera organised a
fundraising event with his
colleague Dr Swarna Handalage which
raised enough to support two more needy
students through their entire degree at
the Medical Faculty in Galle. A second
such event is planned for mid-October.
The development of personal
relationships between the student and
supporter adds another positive level to
the scheme. Dr Jayaweera takes a
personal interest in each student’s
progress and has met most of them,
including Maduwanthi, in person during
visits to Seenigama.
‘The most satisfying aspect of these
sponsorships is being able to keep in
touch with the students by letter and
meeting them when I visit Seenigama, and
knowing that the scholarships are made
use of successfully for them to continue
their studies,’ Dr Jayaweera said.
‘I am very touched by their sense of
gratitude and their commitments to use
the funds wisely to reach their goals.
Also I encourage the students to adopt
the attitude and intention that they
should try and help others, when the
time comes for them to be able to do so.
‘I was impressed with [Maduwanthi’s]
efforts to study, coming from a
very poor family. She was
genuinely and sincerely grateful
to me for the support…’
The sponsorship scheme has
encouraged Maduwanthi to develop
her skills, pursue her studies
and achieve her goals. With
thanks to Dr Jayaweera, she is
on track to completing her
medical studies and remains
determined to specialize as a
pediatrician.
‘Since this opportunity has been a huge
blessing for me, I intend to return it
by one day helping someone else like me
in desperate need of help,’ she said.
‘My heartfelt thanks goes to Dr
Jayaweera and also the Trustee of FoG,
Mr Kushil Gunasekera.’
The Foundation of Goodness takes care to
select students who are diligent with
their studies and most in need of
support. The Foundation does not take
any percentage as administrative cost
and the entire donation is credited to
the student. There are currently more
than 70 students who have registered for
the scheme and urgently require help to
reach their goals. 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.
