Young Ipswich student ‘wants to make a difference’ to the lives of struggling families overseas-by Gemma Mitchell
Source:Ipswichstar
A young philanthropist has raised thousands of pounds to help improve the lives of disadvantaged children in Asia through a charity he started when he was just 11.
Vibhash Gunasene, a Year 10 student at St Joseph’s College in Ipswich, was moved to act after witnessing poverty during family visits to his parents’ homeland of Sri Lanka.
In 2013 Vibhash established – with the help of his mother, Lavangi Gunasene – the Vibhash Ravi Trust Fund, which has since brought in £5,000.
The money is used to buy books and stationery, as well as pumps for villages, so schoolchildren need no longer spend long hours travelling to collect water.
Vibhash Gunasene with his book of poems. Picture: St Josephs College – Credit: St Josephs College
A current project aims to extend the small home of a disabled child so he can manoeuvre his wheelchair more easily.
Vibhash, now 15, said: “When I went to Sri Lanka, India and Nepal I saw this poverty and I wanted to help so I published a book of my poetry to raise funds. I wanted to start a charity, which my mum began for me. Since then I have published a second book of poems and organised a fundraising concert.”
A vocalist, guitarist and drummer, Vibhash played at the concert together with family friends, fellow students from St Joseph’s and friends from other schools. The event was held at Curve Bar, Colchester, and collected £1,000 for the trust.
