Waseem Rahumath

My childhood dream was to work in the airline industry and travel around the world. As a young boy, I was obsessed with planes and I put up a poster of Sri Lankan Air Lines in my room to constantly remind myself to work towards achieving my aspirations. After years of failed attempts & rejections, I was finally able to see my dreams taking flight. My life has been up in the air for a while now. I am thankful for Merrill J. Fernando for giving me the wings to soar high and MJF Centre Kids Programme Coordinator - Reggie Sir for being the wind beneath my wings.

When my father’s business suffered severe losses, we had to go through a rough patch in life. It was the MJF Kids Programme in Peliyagoda that supported me and my brothers’ education when we barely had money to pay our tuition fees. At the Centre, I acquired a great deal of skills, experiences and exposure that funnelled me into the forefront of leadership that raised me to be the strong, outspoken, confident person I am today. I was recently a part of the Sri Lankan Airlines crew who Flight Attendant, Sri Lankan Airlines, MJF Alumni, Peliyagoda volunteered to travel to Wuhan to bring 33 students back to the country. In honour of this historic humanitarian mission, we were felicitated with a medal by the Sri Lanka Army. This is truly an incredible feat and a proud moment for me and all Sri Lankans. I love my job. Through the work I do, I get to meet new people and make their journey better. I am glad that I am in a position today to provide for my family and give charity to the best of my capacity. I don’t think I’ve ever been so content with my life as I am right now.

"I acquired a great deal of skills, experiences and exposure that funnelled me into the forefront of leadership that raised me to be the strong,"