Tribefunds

“Making Education available for as much as possible.”

Kasthuri Arachchi

I’m Kasthuri Arachchi, I always wanted everyone to be treated equally & fairly, especially the students & children who need those attentions. Because education is the line that will decide their entire future & the future of more generations to come.

We are planning on extending the access to the education for all student’s despite of their wealthiness, physical condition, social status & religion. What we need is to provide at least the minimum requirements for the students to carry out their studies. Internet penetration is about 47% in Sri Lanka. Out of those, only very few students and teachers have access to Digital devices, i.e. Smartphones, Computers, Laptops & Tablets. Even only few have access to the internet access, in here we consider about a steady internet connection which is required for the online classes and assignments. And last but not least, the IT knowledge required to setup different setups. So the number of students who has access to all these components are pretty much low.

Our aim is to build a successful learning center for students and teachers.

What is a Resource Centre/Learning Centre?

It’s a normal classroom equipped with Computers/Laptops, Wi-Fi, Cameras and other equipment necessary for an online classroom. Also it’s a concept for a study place, most of the households doesn’t have good learning or supportive environments, so our center can be used for that purpose also. While the students get their education from schools or other teachers, we also have s group of teachers who are willing to assist them if they need help in both Sinhala & English Medium studies.

Why both students & teacher?

It’s no wonder that the current Covid-19 hit everyone hard without any exceptions, there are teachers & resource people who like to give their knowledge to otters. But they face several problems including financial and technical knowledge.

What problems they face?

• No solid knowledge to setup equipment
• Lack of knowledge to create online accounts
• Financial issues, i.e. they can’t either buy a device to continue their education or purchase an internet connection
• Infrastructure issues like lack of internet coverage

The Solution

Building a resource center will solve all above problems as our center is equipped with all the equipment’s and infrastructure they need. Technical knowledge and other general knowledge matters will be addresses immediately as I’m in charge of that part.

Does it solve the problems?

No, it doesn’t not any solution can solve an answer completely, but it’s just a first step towards something remarkable. Someone would argue what’s the point of building a resource center just give the students some smartphones or a laptop or some low budget PC, yes that’d do, but considering the minimum input and maximum output, resource center concept is the best option we have.

For Example;

Scenario 1

Let’s just say we plan to give 5 kids the equipment needed to study. That’d cost as follows;

Description	Units	Cost per Unit	Total Cost
Low Budget PC	5	25,000	125,000
Internet Dongles	5	1,500	7,500
Internet Connection for 3 Months	5	500.00 x 3 months	7,500
Total			Rs.140,000

So the beneficiary is set to maximum 5 or probably 10 taking that there are more than 1 student in a family. But a resource center can house at least 10 under the current rules and regulations. So the number of beneficiaries could go very high;

Scenario 2

Let’s take a study day can operate up to 12 hours, i.e. from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm. 10 students per day for 3 hours of study and it’d be 40 students if the same students continue their studies. If not the numbers, go very high.

What’s next?

As soon as we build the resource center and make it operational we move onto next phase, which will include;

A PC and an Internet connection for a group of students, whether it’s one of the student’s house, a community center or any other place suitable for their studies. We can be more productive if give at least 1 PC for 5 students rather than giving one per each. Also it’ll lead towards interactive learnings. The place will be decided as [per the students or parents wish. But the Internet access & the PC access (under parental control settings), quality of learning environment, and student selection will be monitored by us and personally I will be involved in it. Because a good project needs a follow up.

Ones our project is up and running we will be able to recover our funds from donations and move on to our Phase 2 for community distribution of Computers as mentioned above.

Every rupee counts towards our goal, so your Donations are not just some money or something that do it by your good heart, but it’ll change the entire future of at least One student definitely.

Description	Rs.	Total Cost
Books & other Stationaries	250,000
Cost of Construction of the Centre (Including material cost, supervisor cost)	350,000
Interior Arrangements (Desks, Chairs)	70,000
Interior Arrangements (Student Friendly Environment)	25,000
Equipment Cost (PC, Web Cam, Monitor)	115,000
Compensation for teachers	45,000
Total		Rs.630,000

Description	Rs.	Remarks
Land to build the Centre	0	Acquired
Planning the Construction of the Centre	5,000	Sponsored
Labor Cost	120,000	Sponsored
Internet Connectivity	10,000	Sponsored
Administration & Marketing	40,000	Free

I always wanted everyone to receive equal opportunities as much as possible, especially for poor. And education is something we can give which will have a wider impact on someone’s life.

I have been a volunteer at Sri Lanka Red Cross Society from 2010 to 2016 and worked with German Red Cross, European Union and IFRC in various fields including Donations, Promotion of Humanitarian Values, Home Gardening, First Aid, Disaster Management, Career Guidance, Flood & Drought Assist, HIV AIDS prevention, Health & Safety of Public and was a volunteer as an English Teacher. After that we created an organization called FOVA (Foundation of Volunteers of Anuradhapura) to deliver the service to school children & ones in need & worked with the local government to restore families in both Sinhala & Tamil regions.

While working on that, my Dad, my Brother, my Mom & I started doing community services as possible with other parties under unofficial name Kasthuri Foundation, we supplied Drinking water during droughts, supplied Hospitals with infrastructure needed & assisted students with teaching and stationary requirements. We worked in urban areas, rural areas & conflict affected areas.

I worked as the District Project Coordinator in Anuradhapura District under GFATM (Global Fund to Fight Tuberculosis & Malaria) & FPASL (Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka & Sri Lanka Red Cross Society Anuradhapura Branch for 2 years. Worked as the Manager at my Dads business and partnered with him later one. I also worked in Kubura Resort & Hotels as the Manager for 2 years. Currently I’m a fulltime educator, not just teach stuff, but a whole lot more than that.

This Resource center was a long lived idea and I just thought that this was the perfect time to initiate, it’s the time that students need help.

We hope to have the funding as soon as possible to get the process to move. As soon as we get the funding needed for the construction all the other arrangements will be in place to commence our program.

• Week 01 – 04 – Planning & Construction of the Place & Equipment Buying
• Week 04 – Interior furnishing
• Week 05 – Operational

17th July 2021 - And we are off with our campaign, really looking forward to your support!.

I’m Channa Lahiru Kasthuri Arachchi, I’m a Businessman, a Manager, a Business Consultant, a Business Partner, an Educator, English & ICT Teacher, Speaker & a Volunteer. I have worked in many fields and currently I’m active as an Educator. Completed my studies in Anuradhapura Central College in English Medium in both O/Ls & A/Ls in Mathematics.

Contact details for further inquiries:

Name: Channa Lahiru Kasthuri Arachchi
Address: 619/1, Stage 2, Anuradhapura
Phone Number: +94 (0) 71 054 340, +94 (0) 76 380 0272
Email: channalahiru@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kasthurijr/ https://www.facebook.com/trestoninstitute/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kasthuriarachchijr/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kasthurijr/

A Learning Centre for low income Students and Resource people

Kasthuri Arachchi