From Shadows to Strength: Tharshini’s Journey of Hope and Triumph
Names and locations used have been deliberately altered from their original form.
07 January 2025.
Jeyapalan Tharshini, a 19-year-old from a coastal village in Jaffna, exemplifies the power of resilience and determination. Born into a family displaced by decades of conflict, Tharshini faced unimaginable challenges. At just three years old, she lost her mother during the final stages of Sri Lanka’s civil war, leaving her grandmother to raise her and her siblings amidst profound hardship.
Today, Tharshini lives with her 77-year-old grandmother, elder sister, and cousin in a modest hut-like rental home. The family relies on her grandmother’s welfare funds and her sister’s meager income as a cashier, barely managing their basic cost of living. Despite their struggles, education remains their unwavering priority. “There were times when we skipped meals,” Tharshini recalls, “but my grandmother always ensured we never compromised on education.”
Tharshini’s dedication to learning shines through her achievements. A diligent student, she excelled in her O-Level exams with excellent grades, and recently sat for her A-Levels in the Arts stream. Her talents extend beyond academics—she has mastered typing in Tamil, Sinhala, and English and honed skills in tailoring, party decoration, and computer literacy. A passionate athlete, she led her school’s Kabaddi team to victory at the national level.
The turning point in Tharshini’s life came in 2017 when Tech Outreach Malaysia, through CFCD, began supporting her education. Starting with Rs 700 per month, this support increased to Rs 2,000 and included essential school supplies. During the COVID pandemic, CFCD provided Tharshini with a mobile phone that proved transformative. “This phone changed my life,” she says. “It enabled me to study online and acquire new skills that helped me support my family financially.”
Yet, financial struggles persist. Tharshini dreams of enrolling in English and computer courses to enhance her prospects, but the financial burden remains beyond her family’s means. Despite these obstacles, she remains undeterred, aspiring to secure a job and support her family while continuing to grow academically and professionally.
Grateful for the support she has received, Tharshini aspires to follow in CFCD’s footsteps by helping vulnerable students like herself. “CFCD and their donors treated us with respect and care, making us feel valued. I want to do the same for others one day,” she says.
Tharshini’s journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative impact of donor assistance. With continued support, she is poised to achieve her dreams and inspire others to rise above adversity.