The awarding of scholarships to underprivileged children and those who have excelled at the Advanced level examinations as well as deserving undergraduates are one of the most sought after events of the Colombo Young Men's Buddhist Association (YMBA).
This year, Rs. 11 million has been allocated for this purpose of which the main event would be held on January 19. Nearly 400 undergraduates and GCE Advanced Level students will receive monthly grants for their total period of study in the university.
The YMBA which is one of the pioneer Buddhist organisations in the country, has a history spanning 120 years of rendering social service to children of all ages regardless of language or religion. Over the past few years, the YMBA has engaged in uplifting rural schools by donating much needed equipment and has provided trained English, Science and Maths teachers.
This year the Colombo YMBA school development project has focused on two schools, namely Sampath Nuwara Maha Vidyalaya Welioya and Wedamulla Maha Vidyalaya in Kelaniya.
The development of another school in Badureliya will commence in February this year. The objective is to have a government school in each province affiliated to the Colombo YMBA.
Apart from religious activities, the Association conducts many major projects covering a large population.
Some of the major activities are: Conducting Examinations in Sinhala and English in ‘dhamma/Abhidhamma’ locally and in 11 overseas centres.
Sinhala and English Literary activities are also conducted to improve student's literary skills.
The YMBA conducts an all Island Buddhist Drama Competition while also running Elders Homes, Children's Homes and Vocational Training Centres.
The Buddhist quarterly journal has been published for over 100 years along with other books on Buddhism for general reading and also text books for ‘Dhamma/Abhidhamma’ exams.
Dhamma School Teacher Training and Leadership Development Workshops are conduced island wide along with an Eye camp.
School development projects have also been launched where under privileged schools in difficult areas are provided with assistance toward the infrastructure and the uplift of the standard of Education.
Add new comment