24/12/2022
I have been waiting for a long time until this day to share my success story to the world, since it's inspiring. Suppose someone will get motivated from this.
My father was a carpenter and a number one drunkard. I don't have to explain how a drunkard would behave. Yeah.. he is a abusive father, a violent person, when drunk. There were nights we have spent full of fear and in neighbour's place. My mother was beaten many times for no reason and I was watching scared and I remember once I was sharing such a story with my kindergarten teacher. I slightly remember I was writing numbers more than 100 on a book recognizing the pattern, before it was taught in school. That's where I thought I love the math. I remember my drunkard father sometimes talking about Engineers he had worked with. And I knew math subject was for Engineers. I was about 7 years old then. I also wanted to be an Engineer, when I grew up.
But there were times since my childhood he'd be cursing me knowing what my future ambition was; "You will never become an Engineer, but will have to beg on streets". Having such a curse from a family member is so painful. But my mom always had the faith on me.
I didn't have a playful childhood like the others. I was a cornered silence girl all the time, even with friends. I didn't have a best friend either. But I never had a stage fear those days, cause of my mom's encouragement. She always wanted me to have the best level of education. Father didn't even care about my education.
I didn't attend to any class for grade 5 scholarsip exam, only the education from school. My mom brought me a paper book and guided me to complete it. I got 162 marks and then the cut off mark was 134.
Even if I could have chosen a school from Kandy or Colombo which were supposed to be best then, mom sent me to the best school in Kegalle. I chose St. Joseph's Girls college, Kegalle and I'd say my choice was really good. But the first two years were difficult, since the students in the school were fluent in English and I came from a small school, where English was hardly used. Then I determined to learn English well and I did earn good marks later on. In grade 8 my math marks also got reduced and my mom sent me to classes to get back on to the track. I had school colors for several subjects. I also did Karate as a sport in school. But these days also were dark, since our nights were uncertain, when father was drunk. I remember once he burned one of my white plain trousers, assuming it as my karate suit saying to quit learning karate.
Somehow the time went by. I got 7A s 1B and 1C for O/L s including IT & English literature. And that was enough for me to get selected to Physical science stream for A/Ls.
I chose the best classes in Kandy for A/Ls. Close to the end of 2012, we came to know that father had another affair. So the harrasment got increased. I was about to get beaten those days by a thick rod and my mother jumped into the middle. Her leg was hit and got immensely hurt. We ran into the next door for life. We spent the night there and the day after he was not in the house. We went to the police and filed an Entry for domestic violence and that day also spent in neighbour's house. The next day I had a physics class and got fainted in the class, and I was so scared. Jecob sir came and talked with me and I told him my story. Then my mom was called to collect me home. And Jecob sir gave me a free card saying to continue my studies as well as Amila sir, Saman sir and Kesiri sir.
Later on my father was advised by the police to pay a compensation and to stay away from us. He only paid about Rs.10000 once and left us on 31st Dec 2012 proving our bad days might be over.
My mom did several jobs(a security officer, sales consultant) to look after me and with her little money it was difficult to live. During her surgery, she couldn't work for months. My mom was in debt for many people and my father didn't look after us even before he leave. There were many financial hardships during that era. My mom had a surgery in the leg few days later which got beaten, and recently also had another one for vericose in the same leg. But still she has the pain sometimes. My bestie, Pruthuvi was there all the time encouraging me to do past papers and we always made study plans and worked together. He also supported us with the little money he saved from his meals and that support is irreplacable. Also Sajith aiya who is also an Engineer gave me a monthly scholarship during my first two attempts. These two attempts of mine were extremely stressful since some villagers were trying to put us down as much as possible. And my mom was also a single mom then. Anyhow in my first two shys I managed to get selected for physical sciece with results of B,C,C.
I am grateful for all the teachers who have taught me from kindergarten to grade 13 and all the tax payers for free education.
I decided to do third shy, since my ambition was to become an Engineer. For my third shy we moved into Colombo. And I worked few months in SGS as a lab assistant and when there were nearly 6 months for the exam, went to revision classes of Kesiri sir, Sola sir and Pussella sir and they also gave me free cards to achieve my dream. I am really grateful for all my tuition masters since they supported me up to this extent. The last time we heard from the father was, when we were in Colombo and it was also unpleasent experience. He called us with the old woman he were with and cussing us. He never supported us after he left us.
After all I got selected to the degree of BSc. Eng(Hons.) in Earth Resources Engineering in University of Moratuwa, breaking my dad's curse. And I got two scholarships UMAAV and Mahapola during my university life. And I wish to memorize all my lecturers and friends who have supported me during this university life. I didn't work hard in university, cause I wanted to enjoy the freedom I gained. I did let to live my inner child during these years and if that has bothered some people, no worries. Somehow I managed to get a Second class lower division also. So Finally I am officially graduated and I am so proud of myself. And my heartiest gratitude to each and every person who has supported me during this difficult journey. After all my mom was all my strength then and now and she has the right to wear my cloak ofcourse.
The other little girl in the frame is my cousin sister.
Photography by Ravindu Wanigasekara