Making a meaningful impact on the lives of underprivileged students
A shared vision
In 18th July 2009, AEDUUK was born out of the shared vision and dedication of eight individuals who united in London. Their mission was to make a meaningful impact on the lives of underprivileged students. Initially, AEDUUK focused on Sri Lanka, where they established their first Sri Lankan AEDU organization in Killinochi in 2010. The committee members were drawn from diverse backgrounds, including education, social services, and public service, all committed to the well-being of the community.
AEDU Killinochi began its journey by providing holistic education to 50 students, and by 2015, their reach had extended to support over 178 students.
Expanding their mission, AEDUUK ventured into Trincomalee, establishing AEDU Trincomalee in 2011. Although progress was initially slow due to challenges in cooperation among members, the intervention of the Trinca Rotary Club in 2013 led to significant growth.
Steady growth
Subsequently, AEDU organizations were established in quick succession, including AEDU Mannar (2013), AEDU Amparai (2014), and AEDU Mullaitivu (2015). These organizations began by sponsoring the education of 25-50 students each, eventually expanding to support over 100 students in each location.
The COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges to their activities as students couldn't attend school. Nevertheless, with the unwavering support of sponsors, AEDUUK continued to provide financial aid to these families, helping them cope with the pandemic's impact.
Even during the pandemic, AEDUUK's dedication remained steadfast, leading to the establishment of AEDU Batticaloa in 2019, focusing on supporting students in that region.
A pivotal moment
In 2023, another pivotal moment occurred with the establishment of AEDU Vavuniya, set to provide sponsorship funds to 50 children starting in July. They express their gratitude to Mr. Mangaleswaran, the vice chancellor of Vavuniya University, for his support in forming the AEDU Vavuniya committee. Since launching their education program in 2009, AEDUUK has educated over 4,000 children, with more than 25 students extending their studies beyond school into the university sector. Financial support continues for these undergraduates, tailored to their individual needs. Additionally, AEDUUK provides financial aid to students who qualified for university but faced financial constraints, with over 30 students benefiting from this program.
Beyond education, AEDUUK also endeavors to improve the living standards of the people they serve. For instance, they support nine students in Thirukovil, Amparai district, who completed their school education but lacked employment prospects. These students are being trained as Health Care Assistants, with practical training at the Kalmunai hospital.
Guided by the principle of "teach a man to fish," AEDUUK promotes self-employment. They initiated several projects in collaboration with local communities, such as providing equipment for string hopper making, clay pot making, coconut oil extraction, sewing, and store keeping. Despite challenges due to the pandemic, these initiatives have proven successful, empowering individuals and families to create sustainable livelihoods.
Over the past 13 years, AEDUUK has provided over 300 bicycles to children from remote villages, making it easier for them to attend school. AEDUUK's success and impact are attributed to the dedication of its chief coordinator, Mr. Thillaiambalam Varathan, and the selfless efforts of committee members across all AEDU organizations. They are deeply thankful to their sponsors, donors in the UK, the Victory Sweet foundation in Germany, and supporters in Switzerland for their generosity and support in realizing AEDUUK's mission to transform lives and uplift communities.
Our History & Achievements
- From 20 children in 2009 to 800 children and rising
- From operating in the North and East of Sri Lanka to expanding across the whole island.
- From educating only primary and secondary school children moving to the tertiary sector, both academic and vocational and rising
- From education to employment
‘’எழுத்தறிவிப்போம், ஏக்கம் தவிர்ப்போம், வளமான வாழ்வளிப்போம்’’
The impact in numbers
800 +
Current supported students
200 +
Current sponsors
£450k+
Total money donated
12
Supported districts