Lessons in computer programming and English fluency were previously unavailable to schoolchildren in rural Mahavilachchiya. Training gives them the opportunity to bring their families out of poverty.
In rural Sri Lanka, most families rely on agricultural work, leaving them vulnerable to market fluctuations, natural disasters like the tsunami, and abject poverty. Students of Horizon work to gain marketable skills they can use to increase their college eligibility and capture off-shore employment. They are then able to earn more than was ever possible in their agricultural community, elevating not only their own financial prospects, but also those of the entire village.
Horizon teaches English and computer skills, but also organizes projects for students to actuate their learning. One major venture is creating online lessons to get students generating income and to disperse teachings to other Sri Lankan students.
The goal is a replicable model of the school so that national and international students may benefit from a program that delivers an otherwise unattainable education. Entire communities will be elevated by the financial prosperity of the students.
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Excel file (projdoc.xls).
