From Rural Village to University – An Educational Breakthrough
How a scholarship from AFT enabled a bright student from a remote village to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor.
When Chamari first visited our office, she was shy and uncertain. She came from a small village in the Kandy District, where her family struggled to make ends meet. Her father worked as a daily labourer, and her mother stitched garments at home. Despite scoring in the top 1% of her G.C.E. Advanced Level examinations, Chamari faced an impossible hurdle: she couldn’t afford the fees for medical school.
AFT stepped in with a full educational scholarship covering her tuition, books, and hostel expenses. But we did more than just write a cheque – we also connected her with a mentor, a senior doctor who guided her through the challenges of first‑year anatomy and physiology.
Today, Chamari is in her second year at the University of Peradeniya, consistently ranking among the top five in her class. She recently wrote to us: “Without AFT, I would have been forced to abandon my dream. Now I see a future where I can serve my community and give back the kindness I received.”
Her story is a powerful reminder that talent is universal, but opportunity is not. With the right support, barriers can be broken, and lives can be transformed.