On 26th December 2004 the tsunami hit Sri Lanka’s coastlines, causing incomprehensible amounts of destruction. Official records state that more than 31,000 people died, more than 4,000 are missing and more than 500,000 were displaced.

In Seenigama, at least 135 were killed and thousands of homes were destroyed or damaged, along with belongings and the means to make a living. For those left to survey the ruins, rebuilding their lives seemed an impossible task.

The Foundation of Goodness, which had operated as a small scale charity prior to the tsunami, immediately undertook a major relief effort to assist the affected residents. Founder Kushil Gunasekera offered his holiday villa as the centre for the vast amount of work carried out by Foundation staff and local and international volunteers each day, and a disaster relief secretariat was soon underway.

As the world responded to the disaster with a swell of donations, the Foundation was able to facilitate projects in areas of pressing need such as housing, livelihoods, healthcare and debris removal, and longer term projects in sport, education, psycho-social support and more. This holistic approach was designed to empower the community and improve both their immediate situation and their opportunities for the future.

Work done with the ‘waves of compassion’

Since the tsunami, the Foundation of Goodness has facilitated thousands of projects funded by individual, corporate and NGO donations.

These projects have benefited Seenigama and over 25 other villages in the region. They include building 500 new houses for displaced residents, providing free healthcare and medication for up to 1,000 patients per month, providing 500 livelihood tools such as tuk tuks and landmasters, and giving 3,000 children essential school supply packs.
 

The Foundation has also constructed two major community centres to host on-going projects, the
MCC Centre of Excellence  and the Sports Centre

Relief for today…and hope for tomorrow

The tsunami affected everything from basic infrastructure to psychological wellbeing, and addressing these needs is a complex and long-term undertaking.

Donor support has enabled the Foundation to take a multi-faceted approach to the many areas requiring help, and while not every need can be met, the opportunities for improvement have been taken up at wherever possible. This support also sent a firm message that far from being forgotten, the victims of this disaster are remembered by people from all over the world.

With immense thanks to each and every supporter, the tsunami recovery projects have been undertaken in just two years, and the Foundation is now moving toward a post-tsunami phase, facilitating growth and opportunity in the region.