The Karuna Trust Junior team is a committed group of young individuals, working together under the Karuna Trust. We are dedicated to creating a better world for underprivileged children in communities all across Sri Lanka.

Mali Karunaratne

I’m Mali Karunaratne, a 12th grader at The Overseas School of Colombo. I’ve taken the initiative to showcase my acts of service, following my desire to help underprivileged kids in my home country, Sri Lanka. I’ve made extra efforts to improve the communities around me, furthermore shaping my existing work to end with a positive impact. Whether through my schoolwork or personal initiatives, I aim to turn everything I’m already doing into a meaningful change.

In 10th grade, for my IB Personal Project, I created a book presenting my macro photography. I went beyond my academic requirements by taking my work a step further, showcasing and selling my photographs and books at a gallery exhibition. With the money I raised, I donated a chemotherapy port to the pediatric section of cancer patients at the Apeksha Hospital Maharagama. 

Additionally, I am the leader of the ‘Care for Paws’ service group, where we aim to spread awareness about the overpopulation of street animals in Sri Lanka. We host sterilization and vaccination camps which are free of cost to the community and 100% funded by us through our year-long fundraising activities.

I aim to continue using my passions and leadership to create change for the communities around Sri Lanka with the Karuna Trust Junior Team.

Amie Karunaratne

I’m Amie Karunaratne, and I’m 15 years old. I’ve always wanted to help people, consistently doing my best and striving to be better than I was the day before.

For many years, I’ve saved up my money intending to donate it to a cancer care association, to be used to buy medicines for kids suffering from cancer. I’m glad to say I was able to donate a couple of thousands. I’m eager to raise more funds, and I hope to soon donate again – only this time, I aim to go even higher. 

Additionally, I donated children’s storybooks to those in need, helping kids read more and grow their home libraries. I was given the opportunity to hand out exercise books to school children, who are once again in need, to support their education. I hope we can continue this task so that more children are given an equal right to the education they deserve.

Lastly, whenever I am out and come across someone in need, I always try to help them by either providing financial support or by handing out good food so that they, too, can defeat our biggest enemy; hunger.

Viduni Kotalawala

I’m Viduni Kotalawala, an 8th grader at Sutter Middle School in California. I’m passionate about helping kids in under-resourced communities in Sri Lanka and California. On my 13th birthday, I started my own Book Bank to promote literacy and foster a “Love of Reading”.  I donate children’s storybooks to children in need so that kids can take them home and build their own libraries.

Additionally, I’m creating urban forests by hand-watering newly planted trees every summer from July to October. These young trees need deep watering for their roots to establish in the first three years.  I completed my first urban forest this summer, which I started in 2022.  

So far, I’ve supported two libraries in Sri Lanka and am currently working with four elementary schools in Northern California. I am eager to expand my support to more schools and libraries to help children enhance their reading skills.

“Every Book is a Doorway to Adventure!”

Viduni Kot. Founder ~ BookBankNorCalUSA