Since I was 12, I have never asked my family for money, not even for food or other needs. I passed my Ordinary Level exam in Grade 11 without going to any tuition classes because we could not afford them. 

My mother, father, and younger sister still live in a mud house. We continue to farm, but it has never brought much success in our village, Padiyathalawa, in Ampara. While I was preparing for my O/Ls, my father became very ill. His condition was critical, but we managed to save him after spending a lot on his treatment. I earned that money myself by doing daily-wage work and working in the fields while keeping up with my studies. 

When I started my Advanced Level studies, I carried sacks and loaded bags of corn onto lorries to earn enough money for just one tuition class. I also used that money for my other expenses. Even though it was a difficult time, I passed my A/Ls on my first try. 

These hard experiences showed me the value of money, since we never had much. Because of this, I found jobs I could do with my own hands. I worked with painters, carried putty, and painted houses. I saved as much as I could from these jobs and used it to get to university. 

But it was never a lot of money. But it was never enough. I had to take care of my family’s needs while also managing my studies, and what I earned did not cover everything. Later, I came across a kind woman from Dehiwala who chose to help me. She put Rs. 10,000 into my account at the start of every month so I could pay for my university expenses. She kept supporting me until I graduated, and even now, she is one of the closest people in my life and often checks on me. I am trying to find any work I can to earn some money to support my family and cover my own expenses. I do whatever work I can find here. At the same time, I never stopped doing what I am good at – drawing. 

I am determined to successfully complete my degree in hopes of pursuing postgraduate studies. No matter what, I want to keep working hard and move forward in life. I honestly do not think many boys have faced this much hardship at such a young age. 

 Maybe that is why I am where I am today. I just want to keep studying and improve my life. 

More than anything, I want to build a proper house for my mother and father. They still do not have a good place to live. I think about this all the time. If I could do that for them, I would feel satisfied.