Year five-scholarship exam is the selecting test for national schools in Sri Lanka. Every year over 3,000 students get the admission to national schools on the results of this exam. These are the most intelligent batch of children. The unfortunate thing is that over 20% of these children are unable to get admission to the national schools due to their poverty. There are only a limited number of national schools in the country, which are also located in the cities. A child, who has been selected to a national school from a rural school, will have either to stay in the hostel of the new school or in a boarding house near by. This is going to cost at least US$. 15.00 per month. Some children will have to travel 10 to 15 miles from their homes and even this is going to cost more than US$.15.00 per month. Not only that, but also they have to spend for their books and clothing and for other school activities. A child needs at least $.30.00 a month for hostel fees, books, clothing and extra activities.

The normal income of a low - income family in a rural village is about US$. 20.00 per month and these families consist of three to four children. The children who get selected to national schools from the low- income families either won’t get admitted to these schools or they will be drop out after few months of their admission, because their parents cannot afford the costs. Karuna Trust came to understand this, a few years ago and started a separate fund in 2004 to give a helping hand to these needy children. By now we are giving 309 scholarships to such students. We give them financial assistance up to their advanced level examination. Not only that but also according to their requirements, we give them books and clothing too. Because of our limited funds, presently we are giving only US$.5.00 per month for a child. Only for orphans we give $.10.00 per month. For just $.10.00, a month, you can give one child a chance to overcome poverty by providing education. With a little bit of pocket change and a kind heart, you can change a child’s life.