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Physical barriers have not dimmed her enthusiasm for studies and music
View(s):The parents of an eleven-year-old girl with a deformity in her legs, are appealing for assistance to help in their daughter’s education as she has shown an aptitude for studies and is interested in music too.
If there's a will there's a way: Ruwani moves about with the help of her hands
W.M.Ruwani from Daha-hahulhena in Udugama Galle, moves about with the assistance of her hands and her father a tea factory employee quit his job to take care of his daughter who did well at the recent Grade five scholarship exam. He takes her on his motorbike to school, the Udugama Gonadeniya primary school – about six kilometres away from home and stays on to attend to her needs, carrying her to the library, science room etc. Her parents who are determined to see that she gets a proper education have twin sons of four-years.
“On school holidays when my daughter is at home I look for labour jobs and it is with this little money that we manage,” the father Thilak Pradeepa Kumara said.
Ruwani who sings and plays the melodica always comes first in a class of 23 students Without attending any extra classes she did very well in the scholarship exam obtaining 147 marks.
“Teachers on the staff are kind and assist her with her studies. She is keen on reading and never forgets to read the ‘Wijaya’ newspaper which she says has a lot of information,” her father told the Sunday Times.
“My daughter is very talented. We believe that by giving her a proper education we could give her a better future. The principal N.G. Navaratne was appointed to the school in 2013. He and the rest of the staff help my daughter in her school activities. We don’t even get the Samurdhi subsidiary. We get only Rs 250 from the Social Service Department,” the father said.
The Principal Mr Nawaratne said that Ruwani is a very enthusiastic student.” With the help of our teachers and some voluntary organisations we have provided some facilities to the family and equipment needed for a bathroom. I appeal to officials or the public to give her a scholarship so that she could continue her studies without any interruptions.”
The principal Mr Nawaratne can be contacted on 07186 14156 .
Pix and text by amini Mahadura, Galle Correspondent
A bright student who always comes first in the class
Ruwani with her father and principal of the school
Ruwani enjoys reading the children's newspaper, Wijeya
Not just studies, Ruwani enjoys playing the melodica and singing (below)
