CandleAid sheds light on underprivileged undergrads

Group Photo

• CandleAid promotes the idea that every person can do something to help another, irrespective of class, wealth and status
•  Help is given to students from low income families towards their education. Apart from that, there are many other ongoing and short term projects undertaken in the area of community development

CandleAid Sri Lanka, an organization based in Moratuwa focused on improving the lives of children in underprivileged conditions, launched another phase of their English & Personality Enhancement Programme in Moratuwa recently. This programme aims to improve the English language skills of university level students in underprivileged families where they have limited access to English language skills development.  

The language training programme was a residential programme which was conducted for four days at Subodhi Institute of Integral Education, Wewala, Piliyandala. Around thirty undergraduates selected by the CandleAid received an intensive English training from the best in the business sphere. During the programme, attendants were provided theoretical and practical knowledge about the English language and how it can improve their confidence in the modern world.  

The lack of English language skills holds back many children from moving forward in their higher education

- Capt. Elmo Jayawardena​

Speaking to the , Founder of CandleAid Sri Lanka, renowned author Captain Elmo Jayawardena said: “The lack of English language skills holds back many children from moving forward in their higher education. English is now a prerequisite for finding employment and for higher studies. Our aim is to ensure that children from low economic backgrounds have access to learning English and with this skill they will be able to find good jobs and improve their lives, ensuring a better future for their whole family.”  

Captain Jayawardena said not a single student was able to speak a full sentence in English on the first day. But, on the last day the students had organized a talent show which comprised of dramas and speeches which were all in English. Captain said he witnessed how the programme helped the students to come out and speak from what they learnt without any fear.  
Speakers included Captain Jayawardena, Dil Jayawardena, Dhananath Fernando, Dishani Senaratne, Madhubashini Dissanayake, Malaka Rubasinghe, Professor Suranga Nanayakkara, Fazlin Gaffoor, Lal Madawattegedera, Shanthi Dias, Sukanya Wignaraja, Arjun Ranawana, Professor Razeen Sally, Deepal Sooriyarachchi, Rohan Pandithakoralage.  
New techniques of learning English from mobile phones, newspapers and movies were introduced by the speakers creating an environment where the students were enthusiastically practiced in the activities to improve their English language skills.  

Several undergraduates also shared their experiences on the final day of the programme.  

Twenty three year old Rifka Farwin studying in the Sociology Department of South Eastern University said: “We leant so much from this English training programme. We are so grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Jayawardena for spearheading this super valuable programme. The way we looked at the English language has changed now.”  

Sajith Dushmantha (24) a final year student at Faculty of Law, Colombo University said: “We had a fear about the English language. Even though we wanted to learn the language, we were always pushed backwards by this fear. Thanks to the brilliant speakers and teachers, we are no longer afraid of speaking in English. We know that nowadays we cannot do anything without proficiency in English. The programme gave us self-confidence to be confident of ourselves and conquer our fears.”  

Krishan Viduranga (23) an undergraduate of Colombo University who is dreaming to become Software Engineer one day said: “I expected this workshop also be a normal English training programme which consists of lectures and presentations. But, on the very first day of this programme, I realized this was very different to the regular English language workshops. Speakers were always ready to bend down and focus on every student. This programme was more engaging. They gave us the idea that English is just a language.”  
Executive Director of CandleAid Mrs. Dil Jayawardena said: “Taking the youth of today and turning them into the leaders of tomorrow, helping them to step into the “big” shoes with confidence, is an essential need in this day and age.”  

Taking the youth of today and turning them into the leaders of tomorrow, helping them to step into the “big” shoes with confidence

- Dil Jayawardena

Founded upon the adage “It is better by far to light a solitary candle than to curse the darkness”, in 1995 by Capt. Elmo Jayawardena, CandleAid promotes the idea that every person can do something to help another, irrespective of class, wealth and status.  

“Our primary project is our Education Sponsorship Programme where help is given to students from low income families towards their education. Apart from that, there are many other ongoing and short term projects undertaken in the area of community development,” she stated. Mrs. Jayawardena said CandleAid has independent representatives in many countries whose task is to engender awareness in people of the needs and difficulties faced by the poor in Sri Lanka.   

Class in session

Chief Coordinators - pre programme briefing

Participants