Kandiyapita Village Background
The Kandiyapita village is located in the southern part of Sri Lanka. More specifically, the Monaragela district in the Uva Province. It is one of several small, rural villages that borders the Udawalawe National Park and the Boghapattiya Elephant Sanctuary.
The Uva province is geographically isolated. It's hard to access because of its physical distance to cities and poor road networks that hinder quick and easy transportation. The Uva province is located in the dry zone and receives low levels of rainfall. According to a 2002 census, Monaragela district, in which the Kandiyapita village is located has the country's highest percentage of poverty, 37 percent. This region of Sri Lanka is rural, and an agriculture based economy. Typically, inhabitants farm small plots of land, growing just enough rice, vegetables, and fruits to feed and clothe their family. To irrigate their crops, a system of reservoirs, called a wewa, canals, and small tanks are used. The Kandiyapita village is located near to the Kandiyapita reservoir, or wewa. The students that attend the Kandiyapita school are primarily the children of farmers. The school serves students from Grades 1-9. There are 97 students in the school. The village has about 500 families dwelling in it. |