Hadawathe Sihinaya – Malamure Junior School, Mapalagama

A Computer for a School Given a New Beginning

Date: 22 September 2020
School: Malamure Junior School, Mapalagama
District: Galle
Project: Hadawathe Sihinaya – Computer Project
Organised by: Isura Wickramarachchi Foundation

As part of the “Hadawathe Sihinaya” Computer Project, another computer was donated to the children of Malamure Junior School in Mapalagama, Galle District, on 22 September 2020.

This school had a particularly interesting story. Although it had a history extending for more than a century, the school had once been closed and was reopened in 2010. When the current principal assumed responsibility in 2015, the school had only 43 students. By the time of our visit in 2020, the student population had grown to more than 100.

To me, those numbers represented much more than an increase in enrolment. They reflected the determination required to rebuild a school, regain the confidence of parents and encourage children from the surrounding community to return. Being able to add a computer to a school making such an effort was therefore particularly meaningful.

There was also a small but memorable moment before we left. The principal picked several papayas from trees at the school and gave them to us to take home. It was a simple gesture, but one that reminded me of the warmth, hospitality and generosity associated with village life.

Through the Hadawathe Sihinaya project, it was deeply satisfying to support principals and teachers who were working with determination to improve their schools and create better educational opportunities for children, even when resources were limited.

My heartfelt thanks also go to Raji, who provided information about this school and helped bring its needs to my attention.