Poverty nor floods could deter her:

Hard work earns Sanjeevani a house worth Rs. 3.5m

By Mohammed Naalir

Poverty is no barrier to overcome challenges. There is nothing which can't be overcome. Those who swim will reach the bank, if not drown. The same statement applies to life. Challenges can be overcome only by combating them. History recounts about people who reached the peak of their lives defeating the obstacles faced in the journey of success. Young Sanjeevani Priyadarshini of Sedawatta Wellampitiya is an example. Poverty did not obstruct her journey.

Overcoming all barriers she achieved her goal in the recently concluded G.C.E.(A/L) examination.

The Sunday Observer staff visited her home in Sedawatta for an interview. Sanjeevani's parents warmly welcomed us and explained about the arduous journey the children had to go through.

Sanjeevani's father T. W. Jagath Kumara said he was engaged in a daily wage employment and earned around Rs. 800 for a day's work. It's not sufficient to make ends meet as half the month there isn't any employment. Amidst difficulties we educated our children even though we suffered from poverty. Sometimes there would be hardly any money in the house. But we took it in our stride, father Jagath Kumara said.

He said he was happy that his daughter has got 3 As in the G.C.E. (A/L) examination in the Commerce stream. Her dedication was the cause of the success. She tirelessly studied, and held tuition classes to raise money for her education. We extended our fullest cooperation to our daughter. Even though we were poor we didn't at any moment think to stop our children's education. It is also one reason for our daughter's success. Sanjeevani did not pay much attention to tuition classes.

The family resides near the New Kelaniya bridge, in Sedawatta, Wellampitiya in a location highly vulnerable to floods even during minor rains. During flood times the small children in the area always fell ill. My daughter was no exception. Due to an infection she underwent treatment at the General Hospital for more than two months, Jagath Kumara said.

Sanjeevani's mother Sunethra Rupasinhe, said her daughter developed tumors due to infection resulting from the floods. She had to undergo surgery on three occasions.

Sanjeevani's house Sanjeevani's new house located at the Sinhapura Janasevana Scheme granted by Minister Weerawanse

Sunethra said her son sat the G.C.E. (O/L) examination in December and was awaiting results. The youngest is in Grade 9. She expressed confidence that her sons too will get good results in the G.C.E (O/L) and (A/L) examinations like the elder sister. Educating the children is our main purpose. We extended support to the children's education as far as is possible.

The sister's hope too is that her younger brothers receive a proper education.

"Our desire is to see Sanjeevani in an executive level job. Once she reaches a good level in society we need no assistance to continue the children's education uninterruptedly, Sunethra said. Besides, the canals in the area are filled with mud. Even during minor rains the entire area would be flooded, and the flood water seeps into the houses. Amidst these problems her daughter continued her education. When the situation worsened my daughter went to relatives' houses to study during exam times. She has been an enthusiastic student since her childhood.

She was subjected to economic problems and experienced immense hardships to go to school during the rainy season. This is a congested area. All the time movements of people would be high. She achieved this level amid much difficulty, she said. There are people in the area who are not aware of the value of education. Seeing the success of my daughter the other children in the area should focus attention on education. It is the desire of my daughter too. Parents should encourage the children to study. That is the message we give the people in the area.

"My son Sameera Sudarshana, is a Grade 9 student at Vijayaba Maha Vidyalaya Grandpass. A prosperous future for the children is our main focus', the mother said.

"We had to face untold hardships to educate the children. They are most times an exception of the tuition culture. We are yet to send my son to a tuition class. We don't have enough money to send the children to tuition classes. At a time when we face immense difficulties to manage the day-to-day expenditure sending them to tuition classes is impossible.

"This year we plan to send the elder son to a tuition class. My son sat the G.C.E. (O/L) examination only with the knowledge gained at school. The school education is not sufficient to sit the G.C.E. (A/L). He needs to attend tuition classes. We need money to send the children to tuition classes. Parents are committed to make the children's future prosperous. The Government has extended enough assistance to us. The Housing Minister Wimal Weerawansa has given us a house worth Rs. 3.5 million. Now we have to overcome the challenges of educating the children", the mother said. We would never forget the help extended to us and pay our sincere gratitude to the President and Housing Minister Wimal Weerawansa for the great service. Likewise, the other parents in the area too should take steps to educate their children even though they suffered from poverty, she said.

The family plans to move to their new home on March 1. Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Ministry officials and the Mayor of Colombo Municipal Council will be present on that occasion, she said.

"Even during childhood Sanjeevani was brilliant in her studies and showcased her talents. She has received medals and certificates in Dhamma School competitions. She works tirelessly, the mother said.

"We gave all the freedom to our daughter to participate in educational activities. She received 1 A pass, 4 B passes, 3 credit passes and one simple pass at the G.C.E. (O/L) examination" father Jagath Kumara said.

Sanjeevani's young brother said he was happy with the success of his sister. He has taken her as a role model in his life. He also plans to continue his G.C.E. (A/L) in the Commerce stream.

Sanjeevani Priyadarshini the successful student at the G.C.E.(A/L) examination said "I studied at Dematagoda Anuruddha Balika Vidyalaya until the G.C.E. (O/L) and attended Rathnawali Balika Maha Vidyalaya, Borella for the G.C.E. (A/L) as there was no Advanced Level Commerce stream in Anuruddha Balika Vidyalaya. I started G.C.E. (O/L) in 2009. As my family income was not sufficient to continue my education, I conducted classes in a Dhamma school with the permission of the Chief Incumbent of the Viharaya. I did not attend tuition classes. The syllabus covered in the school was enough for me to sit the G.C.E. (A/L) examination. Thereafter, I received a scholarship. With the help of the scholarship I attended the tuition classes. Half way through when I became ill I couldn't go to school.

"After the G.C.E. (A/L) I joined the first stage of a Chartered Accountancy course. I conducted tuition classes at the Sri Swarna Viharaya Dhamma school. I attended the G.C.E. (A/L) class with the money raised from my tuition class. I had to face a lot of economic problems. When we compare our society nobody is interested to study. Most girls of my age are married now. They believe studying is foolishness. I faced a lot of inconvenience and obstacles in the journey. The flood situation also affected my education. Amidst the difficulties I went forward. My future ambition is to become a Chartered Accountant. I will definitely go to University", a determined Sanjeevani said.