Serendib Educational Foundation looks to further increase support

By Shanuka Tissera
The Serendib Educational Foundation (SEF) provides financial support to talented students who have excelled in their secondary education and have the ability and skills to reach greater heights as they pursue higher studies.

The 20th anniversary celebration took place at Cinamon Lakeside where the SEF proudly launched their latest website for both donors and applicants: www.seflanka.org
At the stage of inception, the SEF was receiving donations of Rs.100 and 20 years later, they have helped over 2000 students through further education and sponsored over Rs.100 million towards the contribution of school funds.
The SEF board is now calling for an increase in awareness and looking for donors both abroad and domestic. Only 15% of applications can be given support and the new recharge plan of the SEF is to increase that percentage.
“We recently celebrated our 20 years of being in service to the community and applications are growing rapidly in comparison to amount of funding available” said SEF President Riza Mohamed.
The group is focused on offering monthly assistance to talented students, project based support to educational institutions. Riza Mohammed went on to add that SEF’s vision is to see the future generation of scholars reach their highest potentials in the acquisition of knowledge.
At any one time, the SEF has 350 students under its wings, all of whom have aspirations to reach greater heights through education. Further objectives of the SEF are to develop individuals who have the ability to become established professionals not only in the Sri Lankan economy but also international markets.
SEF recipient Yahya Muhsin proudly shared “I am enormously appreciative of the assistance given to me by the SEF, your contributions towards students who don’t have resources to pursue further education helps us significantly.”