There is an exciting new housing complex in the village of Seenigama!

Jointly funded by Lanka Orix Leasing Company (LOLC) and KPMG Ford Rhodes, the recently opened estate is the largest of its kind in the area to date. The new KPMG/LOLC Village (named Rideegama by LOLC) comprises 50 brand new homes (complete with essential household items, modern amenities and gardens), a Community Centre, a Grocery Store, a Childrens Playground, a Water Tower, a Buddhist Shrine Room and some beautiful Buddhist murals. The estate is a wonderful gift for 200 or so residents, offering them a new way of life after their troubles and hardship. The standard of housing packages offered by our donors never ceases to amaze the villagers and Foundation staff.

On 10th April, guests made their way across the country and the globe for the official opening ceremony, including the Executive Officer of ORIX Japan, Mr Y Oshima, and Country Director of ORIX Singapore, Mr Shioda. Other distinguished guests for the day included the LOLC Chairperson, Mrs. Rohini Nanayakkara, LOLC Deputy Chairperson, Mr Ishara Nanayakkara, and a committee of LOLC staff who coordinated the day on their behalf.

   
Guests received a very warm welcoming from the new residents

The day's celebrations commenced with the usual magnificent procession of dancers, drummers and singers who led our distinguished guests up the newly constructed road, thanks to permission from the Sri Lankan Railway Authority, that enables easier access into the estate.

Guests then gathered in the fantastic new Community Hall, including surprise visitor and Sri Lankan Cricketer, Chaminda Vaas. 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 speeches from our Founder, Mr Kushil Gunasekera, Mrs. Nanayakkara, Mr Oshima and others. Mr Oshima described the story of how he and his colleagues were devastated for their Sri Lankan neighbours and friends when they first heard news of the tsunami. He expressed his sincere satisfaction to be able to assist the tsunami-affected families and noted that this is the first time ORIX Japan has carried out a CSR project outside of Japan.

   
The standard of entertainment provided by our local performers was very high, including a bunch of cheeky monkeys (above right)

Following this, the houses were officially opened; each family receiving the key to their brand new home and a fresh start to life. Once inside the walls of their new pride and joy, recipients told their heartfelt stories of how they survived the tsunami and how others, including loved ones, did not. One young man in particular (pictured below right) lost both his mother and father to the ferocious waves and will now live with his uncle in the new KPMG/LOLC Village.

   
Some of the proud owners of these beautiful new homes

After the ceremonies, LOLC and Foundation staff arranged a number of Sinhala New Year (Avurudu) activities for the new residents. The games kicked off with running races for both the boys and the girls, followed by Kana Mutti Bindima (a game where the participant is blindfolded and attempts to crack open a hanging clay pot), lime and spoon races, a laughing competition, obstacle races, a fancy dress competition, a balloon-blowing competition, a tug-of-war, a coconut frond-weaving competition and a Baila dancing competition. Prizes were handed out at the end of the day to the competition winners and all received afternoon snacks from the LOLC staff for their hard work.

   
A suberb programme of activities was arranged by LOLC and Foundation staff

The entire day was a great success and our sincere thanks and appreciation go out to all our guests, the villagers for their enthusiastic participation and, of course, the LOLC Committee who worked extremely hard to organise the day. The LOLC and Foundation staff did a terrific job at organising the afternoon's events, whilst the villagers had a fantastic time participating in them. Voluntary committees of LOLC staff will now work closely with the villagers over the next few years to assist their quality of life and to further empower better opportunities to the region. We thoroughly look forward to working with this fantastic group of dedicated and compassionate LOLC staff in the future.