Sponsor a child in Sri Lanka
Sponsorship programmes are a key way in which we empower children through education in Sri Lanka. Ocean Stars provides sponsorship to children from the age of 4-18 in some of the most rural and poorest areas of Sri Lanka.
We have secured sponsorship for over 290 children. These children and others are living in poverty as identified by local government and social services departments.
The local government has a long list of children needing support. More funding will allow us to help needing reduce this list through sponsorship.
A £15 monthly sponsorship makes an enormous difference to the future of these children. The money is used for transport to school, extra classes, buying clothes, food, paper, pens and books. Some of these sponsored children have become doctors, lawyers and businessmen – parents are very proud of them having and taking these opportunities.
Sponsorship changes a child's life
This is Kilmlya she lives in a village which was devastated by the Boxing Day tsunami. Her father is a fisherman, and her mother is a housewife. Her family income is very low. We started sponsoring Kilmlya in 2005 when she was 5 years old, At the time fishing was banned because of war and the strong naval presence in the waters around Trincomalee.
Through her sponsorship, Kilmlya was able to go to extra classes and buy books and school equipment as well as having money for food. She had visits from her sponsor, Anne which she was very happy and knew she was supported.
We watched her grow and blossom into a young lady. She took and passed her O level exams. In her own words... "If it wasn't for the sponsorship and support of Anne for the past ten years, I wouldn't have been able to afford the extra tuition that has helped me to achieve my goal of staying at school and taking my 'O' level exams."
Continuing to study she took and passed her A levels. There was a "buzz" in the whole community and a lot of excitement when she became the first woman from her village to go to University. The University of Jaffna to study for a BSc in Biological Sciences.
Like the rest of the world Kilmiya was in lock down during the pandemic. She found it difficult to access online learning.
We continued our support for her by providing a laptop, which transformed her University live. She was able to access online science practical classes and keep up to date with her studies.
We were thrilled to congratulate Kilmiya for graduating with a 2.1 degree in 2023.
Ocean Stars has supported Kilmiya for the last 18 years. From a shy preschooler to a confident young woman with more dreams to achieve.
This is Kilmlya today, listen to her, in her own words, on the impact her sponsorship has had on her academic career so far.
Kilmiya's educational journey and realising her dream has some way to go and we will continue to check in with her.
Your sponsorship makes a huge difference and brings not only a smile but a future to a child. We sincerely thank all our sponsors who silently make a huge impact on children in a very everlasting way.
Want to know the difference sponsorship makes to a child Click Here.
It costs £15 a month to provide the best future for a child and can be paid monthly or as an annual sum of £180.
Not technical, no worries, click here to be able to print a form alternatively contact us here and we'll help you fill one in.
