Two very happy recipients outside their brand new home,
as part of the KPMG Village

It is always so satisfying to witness those who lost almost everything in the tsunami receive a brand new home.

On Saturday 25th February, the smiling faces of Seenigama warmly welcomed a first-time visit to Sri Lanka by the International Chairman of KPMG, Mr. Mike Rake, to open the near-complete KPMG Housing Complex. Mr Rake was also accompanied by his wife as well as the Chairman, Directors, Management Staff and colleagues from KPMG Ford Rhodes Sri Lanka.

Thanks to the funding and support from KPMG, the Foundation of Goodness was able to buy land within the village of Seenigama without having to relocate tsunami-affected families to unknown or far away areas. Not only is the KPMG a magnificent new housing complex for them to reside, but for most of these recipients, their homes complete with modern amenities, household items, landscaped gardens and community facilities, are an amazing gift that would have been unimaginable in the times before the tsunami.

 
Mr Mike Rake and his wife (left) and the chief guests surrounding the unveiled KPMG Village plaque and sign (right).

The Buddhist Shrine Room was then officially opened along side the Childrens Playground, whilst a number of mango trees were planted in surrounding areas and in each recipient's garden. Guests were then directed to the brand new KPMG Community Hall after three village girls sung Jayamangala Gatha (a traditional blessing) beautifully.

Once inside the hall, Pansil and Seth Pirith was observed and as part of the traditional house-warming ceremony, milk was boiled in a clay pot over a wood fire. The lighting of the lamp came next, followed by heart-felt speeches from our Founder, Mr Kushil Gunasekera, the KPMG Sri Lanka Chairman, Mr. Rajan Asirwatham, and Global KPMG Chairman, Mr Mike Rake. Mr Rake expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation for having the opportunity to experience such a moving event.

As part of the ceremonies, certificates were handed by the Global Chairman to a member from each recipient household - a very touching moment for all. Just as touching, if not more so, was the opening of some of the completed homes within the new village. The first KPMG house recipient lost his wife, three children, and grand-daughter to the tsunami and now lives with his only surviving family member, his son-in-law.

 
The planting of the mango trees (left) and a brand new home for a tsunami-affected family (right).

We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to KPMG Sri Lanka and KPMG International, (in particular, Mr. Rajan Asirwatham and Mr. Mike Rake), as well as Dilip and Asoka from KPMG and Wikum and Sarath from the Foundation of Goodness, who were instrumental in ensuring the overall success of this project.