our story
Our Story
From Humble Beginnings to Transformative Education
Our roots define us. It gives us a solid foundation to build on and grow into mighty trees to shelter and be of service. As trees often do, from within their branches high up in the sky, they let the sunshine nourish their roots and give life to the creatures that depend on their might.
In 2004, when the Australian educationist Dr Seyed Alavi Sheriffdeen visited his birthplace, Manchanthoduwai, a small village in the east of Sri Lanka he was stunned by what he saw. The hometown that nourished and sheltered him throughout his childhood had suffered debilitating damages as a result of the war. Ever since parting from his homeland in 1992, he always wanted to return to his roots with the hope of helping his community. However upon witnessing the trauma and neglect his village had suffered, helping them became a dire necessity.
Our Story
Timeline of DASSP's Journey
This timeline highlights the most significant moments in DASSP’s history, focusing on the essential milestones that define its journey.
1990
Tragic Loss
Dr. Sheriffdeen’s life-changing tragedy.
Vision for Education in Manchanthoduwai.
Vision Sparked
2004
2010
School Founded
DASSP is officially established.
DASSP transforms lives through education.
Lives Changed
Present
Dr Sheriffdeen, himself, was no stranger to the impacts of war. In 1990, when he was in his twenties, he lost his father and his youngest brother to the war. At a young age, he bore the responsibility of his remaining family members and struggled to make ends meet. His personal experience helped him empathise with the people of his village, and to identify their inherent problems. Forsaken and embittered, the war-torn community were trapped in a cycle of despair and neglect. Dr Sheriffdeen was presented with the challenge of breaking this vicious cycle.
As an experienced educationist, he knew that the only sustainable method to enrich his roots in Sri Lanka would be to educate the young. So he set to work. His first task was to meet his people and listen to their grievances. Scarred and impoverished with their livelihoods destroyed, the people were bereft of hope and motivation. He was the salve to their emotional scars.
Dr Sheriffdeen was able to understand their suffering, and was cognisant of their yearning to improve their lives, especially for their children. So he drew inspiration from his extensive and diverse experience in academia. He melded his academic knowledge and exposure from the West with the insights he derived from the people living in the eastern part of Sri Lanka and developed an exceptional educational model.
Thus in 2010, the Dr Alavi Sheriffdeen School for Pioneers(DASSP) was established. A unique feature of the DASSP model is that it prioritises local education while providing sophisticated academic instruction and support which is of high international standards. Therefore, a concentrated emphasis is placed on the personal development of the students. The success of DASSP has stood the test of time for nearly a decade, an indication that similar modules can be replicated in other parts of Sri Lanka as well.