As a student at MLC Colombo, I had the pleasure of knowing Ms. Shyamala on a more personal level. She was a kind-hearted yet strong lady who imparted knowledge like no other individual I have known, as a student and in my 2-decade-long career as a teacher. Flying to a foreign land and managing a family by oneself is no easy task. But no task seemed impossible for this iron lady who settled in with ease and took confident steps in multiple directions to constantly improve her home. Going beyond her duties as a teacher she even guided me to my higher studies in India which ultimately helped me find a career in which I was passionate about all whilst managing her own chores. Words do not do justice to the amount of gratitude I owe this lady for all the support and guidance she has given me.