Viraj Dhammage

15-08-2025

Finding a new vehicle to transport 17 poor and vulnerable children to school in the remote village of Bellana, Sri Lanka Education is the key seed of progress – opening minds, nurturing dreams and breaking cycles of poverty. The paths of children going to school in the village of Bellana, Sri Lanka, are hampered not only by poverty or deprivation, but also by the literal challenge of daily transportation. For years, you have personally bridged this gap. By providing free transportation to underprivileged children who accompany their children to schools in the city. Some have lost fathers or have disabled parents, meaning that school is their best hope for a better future. But, with only a small three-wheeler, your determination is hampered by practical limitations. This article tells that story, contextualizes the problem within the broader challenges of rural Sri Lanka, and makes a heartfelt plea: with the support of the community and readers, you can get a new vehicle and help these children continue their journey of hope. The village of Bellana is home to families facing severe economic challenges. Many children have lost their fathers to illness, accidents, or civil strife; others have fathers who are physically disabled and unable to work. Mothers are often seen as the sole providers, but with limited resources, every expense, from food to learning materials, becomes a barrier. For these children, education is more than a right – it is a salvation. It is an opportunity to break the cycle of deprivation. Yet, poverty robs them of the essentials: books, uniforms, food, and most painfully, safe transportation to school. Distance and security concerns further threaten regular attendance, putting education and dreams at risk. The Need for Reliable School Transport As much as he loves his three-wheeler, it cannot transport all the children who rely on it safely or consistently. Sri Lanka’s villages and narrow roads present logistical challenges in all weathers. Sometimes, children are left waiting or getting lost; the journey is even more risky on rainy days. Large, reliable transport is needed not only for comfort, but also for safety and inclusion. The Sri Lankan government has taken drastic steps to democratize education since independence. Free education, textbooks and uniforms, and subsidy initiatives have helped many. But gaps remain. Rural schools often have poor infrastructure, fewer resources, and limited access to government programs compared to their urban counterparts. Official incentive programs rarely reach every child, especially in remote mountain villages like Bellana – the real cost of going to school is a daily obstacle. For the children of Bellana, my volunteer transportation is not a convenience – it is a way of life. Without it, reliable transportation would be an unaffordable luxury. Safe journeys on often unpredictable rural roads include children from the poorest and most marginalized families. Regular attendance, academic achievement and future employment for families For the underprivileged youth of Bellana, the noble school has become a beacon of light. Children arrive every day, some after journeys that would not be possible without assistance. Some come from families with no breadwinner or a disabled parent; others wake up before sunrise and are determined not to miss a day. My free and dedicated transportation service is a source of hope. Children know that someone cares enough to ensure their education. Their attendance depends not only on school policies, but also on my daily commitment. But demand often exceeds the capacity of my vehicle. As the village grows and new children face hardships, the need for a larger, safer transport solution becomes acute. While national programmes target school access, they cannot meet every local need. This is where community members step in. The gap between policy and reality – between well-intentioned programmes and the everyday needs of those at risk – is bridged. I, as a prime example, am self-employed and have been carrying out this social service for 2 years with great difficulty and obstacles.