READ

An Education Development Project

Many children in rural areas of Sri Lanka do not have access to quality education. They often drop out off school before the age of 10 and start working to contribute to the family income. However, this limits their prospects of breaking out of a cycle of poverty.

Our initiative, Rural Education and Development (READ) is a grassroots project that focuses on increasing the accessibility and contributing to the quality of education for children in impoverished rural communities of Sri Lanka.

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Sri Lankan children are affected by the economic crisis

Average monthly income of a household of the children we support

Children lack access to basic clothing, hygiene and school supplies

“We discovered that some teachers were bringing home-cooked meals to school to feed undernourished students.”

The school we support through READ is located in a rural area near Galle, where government neglect has left it in a dire state. None of its students pass the exam to continue their education beyond grade 5. The building is dilapidated, the teachers are overworked, and the students lack both financial and emotional support. Despite these challenges, the school remains a crucial safe space for children who come from low socio-economic backgrounds, offering them a break from the hardships they face at home.

With READ, we are committed to turning this situation around. We aim to provide scholarships to the students, restore the school building, lighten the burden on teachers, and provide other resources students need to be able to thrive. This includes not just textbooks and supplies but also support programs that extend to the families, ensuring the students have a stable environment both at school and at home.

GOALS OF READ

We selected Panagamuwa Amarasinghe K.V. primary school to be the first of many schools we hope to implement in our READ project. Based on the results of our research, we will be addressing multiple factors that negatively impact the children’s access to quality education. The implementation will be carried out in 3 phases.

The first step to making education more accessible is by offering the students of Panagamuwa Amarasinghe Primary School financial support through scholarships. The students receive a monthly donation that will cover the costs around school, such as school supplies, uniforms, travel costs, etc. We believe in education for all, and therefore provide scholarships to all students of the primary school.

Phase 1: Scholarships

Teachers will receive comprehensive training programs that focus on engaging learning environments. Amongst that, ensuring teachers are equipped with fundamental first aid skills is crucial in creating a safer and more secure environment for students.

Phase 2: Teacher Training

Provide parents with effective strategies to support their children’s emotional development, fostering a conducive home environment for their mental well-being. Also, ensuring that parents understand the importance of their child's education for the long term.