When the tsunami destroyed their home in southern Sri Lanka, and their father?s fishing boat, 10 year old Amit and his brother Athul, 5, did not realise their chances of an education had also been washed away.

Their mother, Lalitha, who was working in the Middle East as a housemaid, saw news footage of the destructive waves and rushed back to join the family. Relations in nearby village took them in and after some weeks the family began getting back to normal life.

For the children the most important step was returning to school but when their father Vimaladasa, approached the principal of the village school, Amit and Athul were both denied admission. For Athul it was because he couldn?t provide a copy of his birth certificate ? the family?s paper work was lost in the tsunami. For first grader, Amit they were told the school had no more vacancies.  

Their mother Lalitha set about getting a new birth certificate for her eldest son but when she presented it to the principal she was informed that admission for the year had closed. Despite repeated visits, the school authorities refused to change their minds.  

?This is the only school in my village. If you cannot provide education to my children, what is the use of this school? How can I send my children to schools which are kilometers away from my home??, Lalitha asked the principal, helplessly.

The family turned to community volunteers from Walawe Kantha Maha Sangamaya (WKMS), a local women?s federation working on tsunami response and supported by ActionAid. ?We are poor. That is why they dared to deny my children?s right to education?, explained Lalitha. ?I want to go to school but when all the children in my neighborhood are in class, I have to stay home playing with my brother?, added Athul.

WKMS took up the case and accompanied Lalitha to the school. With support for the family clearly mounting, the principal agreed to admit both boys, if they could produce a letter of recommendation from the local education authority. After a visit to the education director?s office, Lalitha and the head of WKMS returned with the letter and the two month battle for Amit and Athul to return to school was finally over.

Amit now talks excitedly about his school life. ?I have lots of friends. Mathematics is my favorite subject, but I would like to become a cricketer.?

?I will become a teacher.? A smiling Athul says hiding behind his mother with shyness.

?I?ve no words to thank WKMS and ActionAid, for backing my fight for justice. Now I can dream of my children?s future. They are my hope of life?, Lalitha says with tears.