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.

The Foundation of Goodness' work has benefited the region to no end and continues to do so in a variety of ways. In order to describe the history of the Foundation of Goodness clearly, it is necessary to do so in two parts: pre-tsunami and post-tsunami.

Pre-Tsunami

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. The Foundation was previously run through the ‘Lahiru Community Centre' which was attached to Kushil's holiday bungalow in Seenigama, before it was destroyed in the tsunami.

Its activities included:

• Ongoing English classes



• Computer Classes



• Donating essential school items to needy children



• Upgrading villages dwellings to better standard



• The modernization of 10 Schools in conjunction with USAID



• Wesak lantern competition



• Community welfare programs



• Self employment opportunities



• Health care and nutrition (Maternity Clinics)



• Sports activities



• Fostering Foundation volunteers (Teenagers & Youth)

To view the Newsletters that the Foundation published prior to the tsunami, please click here.

   
Kushil Gunasekera's former holiday villa in Seenigama before it was destroyed in the tsunami

Post-Tsunami

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.

Over the last seven years the Foundation has received over Rs. 239 million (US$ 2.39 million) in funding.

Unfortunately both Kushil's holiday home and the ‘Lahiru Community Centre' were devastated in the Boxing Day tsunami. The building was then entirely converted into a fully-functioning Relief Centre Secretariat. In the near future, the compound will be transformed into a Centre of Excellence, to foster and enhance the skills of the village youth and thereby empowering them with greater opportunities in life. Construction on this is due to commence in June 2006.

   
Kushil Gunasekera's holiday villa in the aftermath of the devastating tsunami, which subsequently became the Relief Centre Secretariat

The spirit of the Foundation continues. Kushil, the Foundation staff and volunteers have already been working together for disaster relief and planning for the longer term re-building of the village. The Foundation has enormous good will in the village and the people of Seenigama are looking to the Foundation to help them re-build their lives.

Thanks to the tremendous support from people worldwide, so far the Foundation of Goodness has:

• Constructed over 400 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 Training Centres, Sewing Courses, two Libraries, a Brush Block Manufacturing Plant 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 a Youth Exchange Program, including accommodation facilities, to build relationships, broaden young minds and popularise community aid work both nationally and internationally.

It is this holistic and personal approach to development that is pushing the Foundation further and further towards achieving a rural community model, designed to inspire other regions and empower disadvantaged communities throughout the globe.

To ascertain the full scope of our work please see our Foundation Profile.