“Into each life, some rain must fall”, said Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. And that’s what we strive for with Blooming Smiles.
The remote town of Horowpathana at the edge of Anuradhapura District, bordering the east and north, captivates anyone who finds it. It is rich in dense jungles, forested hills, ancient ruins, rare wildlife, lush paddy fields and ancient irrigation systems. The people are friendly, generous and kind. However, their lives can improve with a helping hand, especially the 25 children studying at Kakulbendidigiliya Primary School.
These young ones do not have much. Their impoverished families cannot afford the stationery, uniforms or shoes they need. The 7 teachers at the school do their best to nurture these young minds. They do not let deprivation get in the way. But life can be so much easier if the youngsters have the essentials.
Every child has the right to education, and Sri Lanka provides universal education. But, not every parent can cover the cost of books, pencils, art supplies, school bags, water bottles, lunch boxes, shoes and clothes. Blue Lanka Tours believes it is a societal responsibility to give every child an equal opportunity to complete their education. After all, “it takes a village to raise a child.” So, we embarked on our journey to this rural destination with gifts in hand and well-meaning intentions at heart.
The community lives in the hope of a better future for their children. Poverty-stricken areas like Horowpathana and Kebithigollawa often get overlooked due to their remoteness and lack of significance. But, as a destination management company that has travelled far and wide on the island, we know how much help they need and deserve.
We also invite the public to nominate the schools that need assistance. Our first-hand experience witnessing hardships allows us to make meaningful decisions and choices for each school and group of children.
Sri Lanka has a high literacy rate – over 90% for both men and women. Despite challenges, education is considered a way forward. It is a priority concern for most families. Almost all children aspire to higher education and solid future careers, regardless of their circumstances. Their tenacity and determination are inspiring. Investing in their education means a brighter future for the next generation and the nation.
Families in Kebithigollawa and Horowpathana engage in traditional agriculture. Farming kurakkan (millet) and rice are the main income generators. Local farming communities in rural Sri Lanka often face hardships, yet they are the backbone of our national economy. So, in a way, this is our way of acknowledging and thanking their hard work and dedication to traditional farming.
We are fortunate to have met such a wonderful community and children. Their thankful smiles and graciousness were heartwarming. Spending time with them was a joy. They were delighted by our presence, too. We learned so much about their lives, talents and dreams. They were an extraordinary bunch who made a lasting impression on us. Their teachers’ dedication will nurture them into competent and skilful students.
There’s no limit to what a child can achieve when given the chance. And we want to offer that chance to as many children as possible at every chance we get.
Next time (11th October 2024), we are taking Blooming Smiles to Nutbourne Tamil Vidyalaya in Dayagama. Dayagma is one of the remotest villages in the Central Hills, nestled at the far end of the Agarapatana Valley. We look forward to sharing the joy with more children in need.
There’s more to come. We will continue our mission to bring Blooming Smiles to schools that need assistance no matter how remote they are. Empowering children and teachers with educational supplies makes a huge difference in their lives. It makes learning and teaching so much easier. Stay tuned for more smile stories by Blue Lanka Tours.