As a young boy growing up in the small coastal village of Seenigama in South West Sri Lanka, Kushil Gunasekera felt extremely lucky and privileged that he had access to a good education through a reputable school in Colombo whilst many friends weren't so fortunate. He vowed to himself that one day he would devote his time, energy and money towards assisting the people of his region so that they too could live meaningfully and purposefully with equal opportunities to excel in life.

And he did. On 3rd March 1999, Kushil Gunesekera realised his life-long dream and established the Foundation of Goodness. Now a registered Sri Lankan Non-Governmental Organisation and a highly reputable force in the region, the Foundation has been active in the rural community of Seenigama and surrounding villages for over seven years.

Prior to the tsunami, the Foundation existed on a very small-scale basis. With just three permanent members of staff, the Foundation focused on education and youth development as well as responding to ad-hoc individual requests from villagers for things like surgery, funeral financial assistance, essential items for livelihoods, housing additions and repairs, and the like.

After the tsunami tragically devastated the region, the Foundation grew rapidly to respond to the ever-growing needs of the displaced and tsunami-affected villagers. Another 25 employees were swiftly hired in Seenigama and the Foundation's focus transformed from addressing ad-hoc individual needs to addressing the entire community of 2,500 villagers and some 500 families. It was not the force of compulsion that made the Foundation's rebuilding work so successful, but the unconditional compassion from the staff, volunteers and supporters around the globe.

The Foundation's mission is to empower the less privileged rural communities so that they may have equal opportunities to excel in life. In essence, the vision is to create a sustainable rural community model that may be utilised to assist other disadvantaged communities both in Sri Lanka and abroad. The Foundation is well on its way to achieving this goal through its holistic approach to development, including housing, infrastructure, livelihoods, health care, education, skills development, sports and cultural preservation. What's more, the Foundation is currently in the process of setting up establishments to ensure that its work is sustainable, including the Centre of Excellence (due to foster the development of thousands of village youth) and the Sports Complex (due to boost the amazing talent that currently exists in the area).

The Foundation's work has benefited the community in ways once unimaginable. Whilst the tsunami was such an unfortunate and tragic event, Foundation staff and villagers turned this setback into a blessing, always looking forward positively. Children in the region now refer to the tsunami as the "Golden Wave", since it has brought them so much attention and care that might not ever have reached the area were it not for such a catastrophic disaster. If the tsunami was the Golden Wave, then the foundation must be the vehicle that has transported the gold to the villagers and continues to do so.

Those once living in mud brick homes, sharing one bed between a family of five, now live in brand new homes complete with modern amenities, essential household items and landscaped gardens. Those who once practiced the environmentally degrading livelihood of coral mining are now permanently employed in the brush-block manufacturing plant or run their own business. Those youth who had little aspirations in life now tutor computer classes or captain the local volleyball, netball, cricket or badminton team. Those who once could not afford to provide their children with a good education or proper medical care are now the proud parents of healthy children attending training courses or college through way of sponsorships. It may sound like a village utopia, but the Foundation of Goodness has achieved all of this and more.

Thanks to the tremendous support from people worldwide, so far we have:

• Constructed over 460 homes and commenced construction on 90 homes with at least another 115 homes in the planning stages.


• Repaired over 200 partly-damaged homes with another 100 homes approved for renovation


• Commenced construction on what will be the most modern housing estate in the area, Victoria Gardens, consisting of 84 double-story duplex homes to relocate 100m residents.


• Provided livelihood opportunities to almost 500 villagers (through our cement block, coir yarn and brush handle manufacturing plants and by providing additional means for self employment)


• Established four Computer Training Facilities, a Maternity Clinic, a Paediatric Clinic, four English Courses, Sewing Courses, two Libraries and a Handicrafts Centre.


• Attended to the needs of thousands of village children through educational scholarships, sponsorships and supplies as well as the development and continual improvement of over fifteen schools in the region.


• Established a Sports Development Program operating in over seven villages.


• Envisaged a Centre of Excellence (due to commence construction in June) to empower better opportunities to our rural village youth.


• Commenced construction on a modern Sports Complex (comprising a cricket venue, indoor cricket nets, a 25m swimming pool, indoor volleyball courts, basketball courts, badminton courts, a clubhouse and a fully-equipped gymnasium) particularly aimed at fostering the amazing talent already evident in the area.


• Envisaged the creation of an Exchange Program, including accommodation facilities, to build relationships, broaden young minds and popularise community aid work both nationally and internationally.

The Foundation of Goodness has a lot to be proud of today, not only due to a successful seven years of community service, but also because the Foundation's work is something of a truly unique nature. The Foundation, through its personal approach to community development, has attracted a great deal of attention worldwide and has been praised by many as the best example of true community development that they have seen yet.

Clearly an organisation as inspirational as this one deserves much credit and should be used, as their vision suggests, as a model to inspire other such regions throughout the world.