Each year the Association awards bursaries to financially disadvantaged Visakhians to help them through university in Sri Lanka. The students are selected based on their financial situation and academic achievements. The bursary is for the duration of their university course which ranges from 3 – 5 years, and is currently LKR 48,000 per annum.
The Scheme was initiated in 1985 and aimed to support students at Visakha, for 4 years from grade 9. Visakha started as a fee levying school in 1917. When it achieved grade 1 status in 1947,entry was based on a tough examination ,as well as ability to pay.Four years later students had to pay only the facilities fees.In 1961 Visakha became a national school and free education was available to girls from all parts of the island and all walks of life. Selection was on a highly competitive nationwide examination. By the late seventies, it was clear that there were students who desperately needed financial support to achieve their potential. Our Bursary Programme was initiated to respond to this need.
Over the years the number of annual recipients and the grant increased as funds collected by the Association through various fundraisers grew. In addition, we have been fortunate to have bursaries sponsored by generous individuals. Since the inception of the scheme the Association has awarded 251 bursaries at a cost of LKR 30,624,000 (approximately £270,000).
We receive applications from many students each year, all with excellent results -several also have outstanding achievements in sport and extra curricular activities - despite many of them suffering severe financial hardship. It is difficult to envisage how people even manage to survive let alone achieve what these girls have on the amount of money that seems available to them. One wishes that we have the funds to help all these girls. Unfortunately we do not. If any of you would like to sponsor a bursary please contact our secretary.
The students are extremely appreciative of the help they get from us .One student said that we had given her the idea to help someone once she was able to, just like we had assisted her.