As the 2025 academic year began, the Foundation of Goodness once again launched its annual Essential School Supplies Pack Distribution Programme which is a cornerstone initiative dedicated to supporting disadvantaged children across Sri Lanka’s rural heartlands. Each year, this programme plays a vital role in ensuring that children from under-resourced communities have the basic tools they need to succeed in school: exercise books, stationery, and a shoe voucher, all thoughtfully packed into a sturdy school backpack.
This year, a total of 6,081 packs were distributed across 300 villages, reaching 247 schools and bringing much-needed relief to families who often face immense financial pressures. For many, particularly in remote districts, this pack was the difference between attending school prepared or staying home in discouragement.
While we received 9,556 requests for school packs this year, we were able to meet 3,848 of those directly and continue to deliver others through ongoing efforts. Regrettably, 5,708 requests remain unfulfilled, a sobering reminder of the persistent and widespread need for educational support in rural Sri Lanka.
Thanks to our generous donors and the tireless commitment of our team, we were able to extend our reach to several previously unreached schools this year. In many of these communities, children received a full set of school supplies for the very first time, an experience that lifted their spirits and instilled a renewed enthusiasm for learning.
Here’s what some of the beneficiaries had to say:
“I’m raising my two grandchildren on my own, and it’s not easy to afford everything they need for school. I want them to have a better life and to succeed. When they received these school packs, it lifted such a weight off my shoulders. It gives me hope that they can stay in school.”
– Grandmother of a student, Kilinochchi
“As a principal in a rural village, I see how hard it is for many of our students, some come to school without even a pencil. It’s not easy to get support, so when these school packs arrived, it meant the world to us. They’re not just bags and books, they’re a lifeline that gives our children a reason to smile and the chance to keep learning.”
– Principal, Vavuniya Koomankulam Sithivinayakar Vidyalayam
“I was so happy when I got my new school pack! My friend and I both got new books, pencils, a bag and even a shoe voucher! I’m so excited to learn new things and do well in class.”
– Student, Bandarawela
Distributions took place in districts islandwide, including Hambanthota (225 packs), Trincomalee (138), Ampara (80), Badulla (295), Batticaloa (87), Colombo (292), Galle (469), Jaffna (84), Kandy (216), Kilinochchi (28), Matale (332), Monaragala (207), Mullaitivu (61), Nuwara Eliya (601), Polonnaruwa (257), Ratnapura (217) and Vavuniya (259).
In rural Sri Lanka, where the average monthly household income is often less than Rs. 25,000, purchasing school supplies can place a significant strain on already stretched family budgets. In such environments, a school pack is more than just material aid, it’s a message that someone cares, that a child’s education matters and that opportunities do exist.
Although we could not meet every request this year, we remain deeply thankful to every individual and organisation who made this programme possible. Every pack delivered is a step towards bridging the urban-rural divide and every smile we see is a testament to the lasting impact of compassion and shared humanity.
