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by Dilhara Abeywardena

The University of Wisconsin - Superior has around fifty Sri Lankan students. I can safely say that a good majority of the international student population here in UWS comprises Sri Lankans. That student body is a highly motivated number of persons with very versatile personalities.

This is not however a reflection on the entirety of the nation of Sri Lanka. Lots of people in Sri Lanka are yet in the developing stage. There are burning issues of poverty, health problems, job concerns, education and economic crisis back home. Though we, the fortunate few who have the luxuries of earning a higher education, are away from home, these issues still affect us.

The dedication and caring hearts instilled in us motivate us to march forward and share some of our luxuries with some of the underprivileged in our country.

This is the background that has made possible the commencement of the SLSAP. The honour of being the founders of this excellent program goes to two humane individuals, Isuru Dissanayaka and Pravien Abeywickrema. It is amusing to note that the idea for it began one fine day in the dish room, while they were at work in the cafeteria.

All Sri Lankan students at UWS show a keen interest and support this program. This program aims at assisting underprivileged students of our mother nation who have substantial potential to achieve high academic, sports and social standards and build a worthwhile future for themselves and take pride in the opportunity of doing so. And therefore become a respected individual in society, with the hope that thereafter he or she will work for the benefit and advancement of the future generations of our country.

How we have planned on going about doing this is to collect a dollar each month from every Sri Lankan who is willing to donate that amount (or even more or less for those who wish) and hold this money in a bank account. We will gather information about potential applicants through personal contacts, volunteer groups and religious organizations back home.

Thereafter the committee members will select the most suitable applicant to be the recipient of the award by evaluating the applicants by the information (grades, certificates, recommendations etc.) they provide. The applicants will also need to submit an essay explaining what they expect to achieve by being awarded this scholarship.

Individuals are selected from grade nine upwards and will fall into the following three categories.

1. Grade 9-11 (O/level)

2. Grade 11-13 (A/ level)

3. University level

Each month we hope to allocate the definite $50 we would be receiving as follows.

1. Ordinary level - $10

2. Advanced level - $15

3. University level - $20

The committee members of the association for the current year are Lasith Abayawardana, Sajika Gallege, Yadamini Gunewardane, Gayani Siriwardana and Layan Wijeguneratne.

The reality of this situation is very profound because though $50 may not seem like a huge amount for those of us out here; it can amount to a very large sum of money to a poor person back home, in Sri Lanka. This scholarship program was initiated over the summer. It has been a success and a cause for everyone who has contributed to it in any way, to take pride in. Talking to committee member Yadamini Gunawardena, he says, "Many organizations have goals and dreams which they envision that have not become a reality.

However, we have managed to make our dream a reality. At present our donations are mainly limited to the Sri Lankan students at UW-Superior. In the near future we are hoping to reach out and touch the hearts of the entire population of UW-Superior".

Two scholarships were awarded to two young and deserving Sri Lankans in the month of July, 2002. The process was slow and communication proved to be a problem with these applicants due to their locality in the rural areas of Sri Lanka and unavailability of hi tech communication via methods such as e-mail and telephone. The majority of communication was done via snail mailing. As a result, we had to wait long periods of time for responses.

During the summer however, one of the committee members, Lasith Abayawardana, had the opportunity to actually talk with them and sort out the necessary details. This sped up the process quite a bit. When we asked Lasith, how he felt about having the wonderful opportunity of actually meeting with these people he said, "As the one being fortunate enough to have actually spoken with the respective families, I feel a greater sense of accomplishment that I did not feel beforehand. Making a life altering difference in someone's life is an incomparable feeling. Most people may not be able to comprehend how a simple contribution of 15 or 20 dollars a month to these families could make such a difference.

But it does, and we have seen the results first hand. I am grateful for all those who are contributing to this effort. And I implore you all to take the time to go to our website and read the letters and details of the applicants, because I am sure it will touch all of those who do, and may the realization dawn upon them of the magnanimous deed that we have managed to achieve." The two SLSAP scholarship award winners are Ms. Madhavi Tennakoon and Ms. Nadeeka Mihrani Ariyadasa.

Tennakoon will be receiving a monthly check of $20 (which is an approximate equivalent of 2000 Rupees) whereas Ariyadasa will be receiving a monthly check of $15 (which is an approprimate equivalent of 1500 Rupees).

Both scholarship recipients come from marginalized families with extremely low income. They have not got the basic needs or the essentials to survive in their living environments. They live in small houses, go to small schools which are not all that popular, and earn very low incomes. It is a survival of the fittest.

Tennakoon is seeking her Management Studies degree at the University of Rajarata in Sri Lanka.

Madhavi's father has fractured his entire body and is also a heart patient. Tennakoon's family is facing severe hardship due to the father's injury. Tennakoon teaches Western music to young kids to earn money to spend on her studies. Tennakoon has a brother, who is unemployed, and also a younger sister who is still attending school. On completing her degree she hopes to serve the nation according to her ability and knowledge. Tennakoon also hopes to someday support low income children in their educational needs.

Further, in-depth details about the scholarship winners, including their application essays and appreciation letters, have been put up on the SLSAP website, http://www2.uwsuper.edu/slsap and we encourage you to visit and view the fruits of the efforts of all the Sri Lankans and others who have contributed towards making this dream a reality. Your comments are highly appreciated. SLSAP can be reached via e-mail on sl [email protected].

We hope to carry this work of pride further on, and do our bit for many more growing and commendable Sri Lankans for a brighter future. We will march strongly forward and on our journey take time to salute those who have made their contributions, in all possible ways and means to make our endeavour a success.

(The writer is a second year student at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.)

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