Our Children for 2024
Shamindi M.
2016-present
Shamindi was born on the 12th of March 2008. Her mother is blind and is hence unemployed. Her father works as a farmer and is the only source of income that the family can depend on. Shamindi is a grade 7Â student at a local village school in Embilipitiya. She is a bright and intelligent student who is known to excel outstandingly in all of her subjects despite the troubling circumstances she is faced with. Her 5 year old sister suffers from a disability that has drastically affected her ability to speak and walk, making her fully dependent on her mother. As the eldest child in the family, they only hope that their daughter receives the education she deserves despite their poverty.
Nethmi D.
2016-present
Nethmi, although only 15Â years old, lives in unimaginable conditions. Her father is the only source of income for the family, however his addiction to alcohol results in insufficient funds going towards Nethmi's education. Her mother's crippling mental illness sees her unfit to look after her daughter. The main family home lacks the basic needs that a child requires and the constant smell of human waste makes it an inhospitable place for a child to live. Hence, Nethmi lives with her grandmother who has taken on the role of looking after her. Due to the lack of financial support, Nethmi's entire education was dependent on what she learnt at the local village school. Her inspirational intelligence and motivation has allowed her to be the only student to pass the grade 5 scholarship exam for 2016 at her school.
Methumini P.
2016-present
Methumini is 15Â years old and has a little sister who is 3 years old. Her family does not have a stable form of accommodation and currently resides in a three-wheeler repair garage in Athugiriya where her father works. Her mother is unemployed and her father refuses to provide any support for the family. Methumini has been diagnosed with Ventricular Septal Defect (Hole in the Heart). However, due to the lack of a permanent and reliable income, the family struggles to afford the expenses of both Methumini's vital medical treatments and education. Despite these heartbreaking circumstances, Methumini has an incredible ability to remain persistent and her motivation to learn is an inspiration to many.
Suthasha M.
2020-present
Suthasha is an 12-year old girl who lives with her mother and two younger siblings. Suthasha’s father abandoned her family when she was just two months old, forcing her to take on immense responsibilities at a very young age to help the family. Her mother works tirelessly at a garment factory to provide for her children. With only one main form of income, Suthasha and her family struggle to afford basic healthcare and educational expenses. As a result of financial hardship, the family lives in an extremely small house with no designated area for Suthasha to complete her studies, often relying on the seat of a chair to write on. Despite the obvious hardship she continues to face every day, Suthasha’s persistence and determination has allowed her to excel in her academic studies. As the eldest child, her mother hopes that with the support of Lotus Lanka, Suthasha will be able to break the cycle of generational poverty through improved access to adequate educational resources.
Kaweesha N.
2021-present
Kaweesha is a bright 12-year-old girl who currently lives with her mother. After her parents divorced, her father sold their family home and took the family’s life savings with him. Although her mother has been working tirelessly, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it even more difficult to find enough work and as a result, she struggles to provide the funds for Kaweesha’s education. Despite this, Kaweesha is determined to complete her education and Lotus Lanka hopes that with our support, she will become empowered to break the cycle of generational poverty through improved access to adequate educational resources.
Sadivya B.
2021-present
Sadivya is a grade 7 student at St Joseph’s College in Bandarawela. His mother suffers from severe Arthritis and as a result is unable to work. Savidya’s father is the only source of income that the family can depend on, however he is struggling to source a regular income due to the current covid-19 situation in the country. As a result, the family do not have a stable form of accommodation as making rental payment is a constant uncertain burden for them. Due to the lack of a permanent and reliable income, the family still struggles to afford the expenses of both Savidya’s education and his mother’s medical treatments. Sadivya is determined to excel academically despite the circumstances against him and Lotus Lanka aims to assist him in reaching his fullest potential by reducing the financial burden the family face.
Gayana T.
2021-present
Gayana Thilakarathna is a grade 9 student at Matara Sujatha Girls School. Her mother was recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer and as a result is required to undergo regular treatments at Maharagama Cancer Hospital. Gayana’s mum is a single mother and after recently having to stop her family business due her current medical condition, the family struggle to find a regular source of income to provide adequate funds for both Gayana’s education as well as for her mother’s medical needs. The monetary support that Lotus Lanka provides will make an invaluable contribution to Gayana’s current situation and will allow her to continue excelling academically without the financial burden the family currently face.
Pathum M.
2018-2021
Pathum is a persistent and hardworking student who is currently in Grade 11 and attends Narrawelpita South School. Independence is something that Pathum was forced to acquire at a very young age. With his father diagnosed with Hemiparesis (paralysis of half the body), and his mother living with a debilitating knee injury – both Pathum’s parents are currently unemployed. Consequently, the family has no current form of regular income and are surviving off the slowly deteriorating assets that was earned through his mum’s previous job as a labourer. Understandably, these unfortunate circumstances mean that ensuring their son receives a quality education is of lower priority in comparison to ensuring he receives his basic immediate needs of food, shelter and water. Lotus Lanka is determined to ensure that Pathum receives the quality education he deserves, despite his family’s financial instability.