The Foundation of Goodness is committed to helping youth from the villages of Sri Lanka overcome the hardships that too often make education a great struggle.

Since 1999, 136 children have been provided with school scholarships, to gain an education to O-Level and A-Level. These scholarships help children with travel costs, boarding fees and tuition class costs. A stipend of US$120* per year is given to pre-O Level students and US$180 a year for A Level Students. Currently, the Foundation of Goodness has 71 school children receiving scholarships, with 600 children on a pending list, while we await donors to support them.

University students are also supported. Since 1999, 112 Medical students and 14 other students have been sponsored. Each student receives US$300 per year for a maximum of 4 years, depending on the timescale set by the donor. This donation covers the compulsory boarding fees, enrolment fees, travel, books and other essentials. We currently have 40 medical students and 7 other university students receiving support from donors through the Foundation of Goodness. There is a pending list which includes 145 medical and 69 other students who are hoping to receive support.

The Foundation of Goodness acts as a link between a donor and the student, charging no administration costs for the work done. The student and donor are able to feedback to one another, with the student being expected to provide at least two updates of their progress a year to their benefactor.

Without this support many bright and talented students are prevented from continuing their education. Often, families cannot afford to lose the extra pair of hands that a young person can give to the family business, looking after younger siblings or starting to earn as soon as they leave school to support the extended family.

Scholarships therefore play an essential role in bridging the gap between the rural and urban sectors in Sri Lanka, by giving rural youth the opportunity to achieve their professional dreams.

And not only is this vital for the students, but also for the country, where young people are able to remain in their communities, working to help build a strong and prosperous Sri Lanka.

One such student is Harshika. Here, she tells her story:

I am Harshika Kalyani, a 4th year student of Faculty of Medicine, University of Ruhuna. My village is Pallebedda which is in Rathnapura district. My school is Ferguson high school, Rathnapura.  My father was lost when I was in grade 8. He was a farmer. My mother is working in Pallebedda hospital as a attendant. I have a sister, she is 27 yr old.

Now I am a fouth year student and adapted well to this life in Galle with the help of others. I can remember when I was in my 1st yr this life was really a stressful one for me. I had many social, economical, educational problems. Many students from faraway places with various economical problems wrote for this Foundation of Goodness ( To Kushil Sir ) asking for scholarships. I also wrote and fortunately have the opportunity.  Sir Stuart and Mrs Heather Richie sponsor me and I am still receiving money. This is my last month of scholarship. I feel very comfortable with this aid because we have to spend a lot for our accommodations, books, meals etc.

I have only a year ahead. I am studying hard. I have passed 2nd MBBS and 3rd MBBS exams in 1st attempt. 3rd MBBS will be on August and I am studying for it now. I like to study more on Gynecology and Obstetrics field after my final MBBS exam.

Finally I would like to thanks Kushil sir who always replies to me and is doing such a great job for poor students like us.

Kushil commented that “the greatest gift we can give to others is the ability to realise their potential. Thanks to the generosity and support of donors in Sri Lanka and across the world, we have been able to make education accessible to those who otherwise would be stagnating in the rural communities. With an education, young people can achieve so much and I would like to thank every single one of the people who have been involved over the last 11 years to make this possible for so many youth to uplift their lives for a better future.”

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give”

*based on current exchange rates

2010.02.22