There
are no universities in the Hill Country of Sri Lanka. All university
students from the Hill Country must live far from home, separated from
family support. While most students seek casual employment during their
study years few find it. Most casual work near universities is already
taken by local people.
Why Scholarships?
The population of the Hill Country is mostly plantation workers and rural peasants.
They are poor and find it difficult to support the education of their children.
Tuition is free at University, but books clothing, food and accommodation are
not. These costs are often beyond the means of poor students and put pressure
on them to give up their courses.
The Scholarships
The Hill Country Educational Foundation was set up by penn Wimochana Gnanodayam
in 1985 to provide financial assistance to students, regardless of race, ethnicity
or religion. The Foundation offers scholarships to students in the Nuwara Eliya
- Maskeliya Electorate in the Hill Country of Sri Lanka.
These small scholarships are awarded to poor university students who show an
aptitude for study. Not only does a scholarship make it possible for a student
to continue with study, but also gives encouragement and shows that someone cares.
The scholarships are quite small, ranging form 2000 to 2800 per quarter. If the
Foundation had greater funds, it could increase the value of the scholarships
and enlarge the numbers of students who benefits from them.
The Students
Students of all races and faiths, both male and female, without
any discrimination, receive scholarships. Scholarships are available
for study in all Faculty and
at any university. Until recently school students also received scholarships.
Between 1985 and 2004 363 boys and girls supported by the Hill Country
Educational Foundation graduated at O. levels and 690 boys and girls
at A. levels. 105 university
students supported by the Hill Country Education Foundation have graduated.
33 were women and 72 were men. 55 were Sinhalese and 50 were Tamil. Present
students
are Sinhalese and Tamil and Muslim and they attend the Universities of Peradeniya,
Colombo, Ruhunu, Kelaniya, Sri Jayawardenapura and Sabaragamuwa.
Students use the scholarship money to meet food, hostel, books or clothes
expenses.
Past students supported by the Foundation have pledge to make a contribution
after graduation and once they get work, to the funding of needy students like
themselves. The undergraduates have offered their voluntary services for the
running if seminars for school pupils before the G.C.E. (O/L) and (A/L) examinations
as an expression of their appreciation.
The Board
is made up of teachers, former scholarship holders and members of Penn
Wimochana Gnanodayam. The Board selects the students, determines how
the scholarships should be awarded and monitors closely the progress
of the students.
Board members render immense service to the Foundation. They give their time
voluntarily and spend a lot of time on its work. Penn Wimochana Gnanodayam
provides administrative services and staff members take a personal interest
in the students.
How Can You Help?
The Hill Country Educational Foundation depends entirely on the financial support of its donors. It has no independent resources.
We appeal to our well wishers in Sri Lanka and abroad to help us to continue this important task.
The
Hillcountry Educational Foundation Bank Account details are as follows:
Name of Account: Hill
Country Educational Foundation
Account No. 8115001789
Name
of Bank: Commercial Bank
Hatton
Branch
Address:
257, Dimbulla Road, Hatton 22000
Cheques etc can be sent.
Please indicate as follows:
HCEF HILL COUNTRY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
c/o PWG Office
14, Dumburugiriya Road,
Hatton, 22000
Sri Lanka
Thank you!