Building Futures: Supporting Education in Matara

During my time as a lecturer at the University College Matara, I was deeply moved by the lack of proper classroom facilities in some schools in the area. One particular school relied on a galvanized sheet structure as a makeshift classroom. Seeing children learning in such conditions inspired me to take action and create a more suitable environment for their education.

With financial support from my friends, my own contributions, and the dedicated efforts of the 2019 Building Services Technologies batch and students from other courses, we joined forces to build a new classroom for the school. This collective effort provided the students with a better learning space and fostered a strong sense of community and teamwork among all those involved in the project.

In addition to constructing the classroom, we donated new books to the school library to expand the students' access to knowledge and resources. To empower the students further, we organized a leadership training program, equipping them with essential skills for personal growth and confidence. I also delivered a special lecture to guide the students on pursuing higher education and choosing career paths aligned with their aspirations—even for those who might not immediately have access to university education.

This project brought me immense joy and fulfillment. It allowed me to make a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of these students and their community. It stands as one of the most rewarding moments in my journey of social work, reaffirming my belief in the transformative power of education.

This above image shows the old classroom—a galvanized sheet structure that served as a makeshift learning space for the students. With minimal protection from the elements and inadequate facilities, this room was far from ideal for fostering education and growth.

Seeing the students persevere in such conditions inspired me to take action and create a better environment for them. This old classroom became the starting point of our mission to build a new, proper classroom that would offer the students a safe and comfortable place to learn, dream, and achieve their goals.