EPITOME of courage!

Senali S. PERERA

The well-known American author Christian D. Larson once said, “Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” It takes so much within oneself to realize and accept this and it helps one overcome any obstacle and reach the destination. So much courage. So much strength.

Karuna Welivitigoda proved and confirmed the truth in these words as she completed the Degree in Social Sciences at the Open University in June 2011. She accomplished her dream at the age of seventy-two, becoming the oldest female in Sri Lanka to have completed the Bachelor’s degree.

She studied at Malcolm Buddhist Mixed School, a school for underprivileged children in Yatagala, Galle. Her right eye had poor eye-sight since birth and it got worse in 2007. “I studied with great difficulties and I achieved all this with my one eye,” says Welivitigoda.

“We didn’t even have a library at school.” She finished her Ordinary Level exam in 1956 but was not able to complete Advanced Level education. After her O/Level exam, she studied for Commerce Certificate and Higher Commerce Certificate for two years at the Junior Technical College in Galle. With that qualification she was appointed as an assistant commerce teacher in Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya by the Department of Education. She taught commerce to Ordinary Level students. “All my students passed the exam and most of them are working in various important places today,” says Welivitigoda with pride.

Other goals

But she gave up her job as a teacher because she wanted to pursue other goals. She wanted to become a stenographer. As a teacher, she didn’t find the facilities she needed to improve her short hand skills. In January 1961, she joined the Sinhala Typist Service at the Ministry of Local Government and Housing. She worked as a Sinhala typist from 1961 to 1964, when she passed the stenography exam at the Technical College, Maradana. In February 1965 she was appointed as a stenographer at the Department of Land Commission.

In 1984 she joined the British Council for English education and achieved an “A” pass for English for Business which was conducted by the University of Cambridge, England. “My mother taught me English since I was a little girl. I was interested in it and wanted to be fluent in English,” says Welivitigoda further. “I spent a lot of time, money and energy to learn English. I wouldn’t have been able to complete my degree without that knowledge,” she implies the importance of the global language.In 1987, she was appointed as the Assistant Director of textile industries in Colombo district. She ended her career as a stenographer in 1994 after fifty-five years of service.

Courageous

Welivitigoda was not yet satisfied. She yearned to learn more, to continue higher studies. She asked the Department of Distant Education in Maligawaththa for guidance. That was when the path opened for her to study for a degree with Ordinary Level qualifications. She was guided to the Open University where she found out that she could follow a degree in Social Sciences. She entered the university in 1997.

“The foundation took three years,” says Welivitigoda. “I couldn’t sit for the exams in my first year due to personal matters. However in year 2000, I was able to join the degree program. I passed three subjects in 2007 but I couldn’t complete the last subject because of various reasons. I got sick and something went wrong at the last moment.”

“Many would have stopped it half-way, but I was determined to complete what I started,” says Welivitigoda who obviously have had so much courage and determination inside her to have come this long way.

Achievement

The convocation for the degree is to be held in March, 2013. “I am very happy about my achievement,” says Welivitigoda with innocent pride. “But I’m not stopping here. I am planning to pursue my studies and study for the Masters. The applications will be called this February and I’m ready to go for it.” Another challenge, another step up the ladder. She’s strong enough to hold on to it, to climb higher. It only takes the will.

“Finally, I would like to thank all the lecturers - including visiting lecturers of the Open University, the non-academic staff at all the departments of the Open University, the CNC public library and the public library in Kotte, The Documentation Center Torrinton, main library at the Open University, Mr. and Mrs. Hemachandra who were like family to me, who supported through everything and never let me feel alone,” recollects . Welivitigoda with love and gratitude.

“I would also like to thank Dr. Padma Ranasinghe and Dr. Upali Thennakoon of Indigenous Hospital in Cotta Road who treats my eyes, Viji Jegarajasingham - Secretary of Ministry of Social Services, Professor Sidhisena of Colombo University, all the teachers of Yatagala Vidyalaya,

Ananda Lokubandara, and The British Council for helping me improve my English knowledge. And also, Sampath Udayanga, Harsha Perera and Mahen Perera for helping me improve my computer skills.

Last but not least, I would like to thank Hemangani Samarakkody and everyone who helped and supported me in this journey.”

To every one of you out there, Welivitigoda advises, “You should pursue your dreams without worrying about high standard facilities. If you have courage and perseverance you can achieve your goals even if you’re studying in small schools.

There are so many avenues available. You need to find the will and determination to reach your destination.”

In our lives, we keep trying to find the universe in ourselves. We should know that it does exist. It seems that this strong lady Karuna Welivitigoda has reached many a star in that universe.

The brightness ignites within her. Years of fierce determination, years of consistence. It’s inspiring how she’s finally living her dream. It tells you and me that no matter how far we think we have come, we have only just begun!