Unconditional Compassion | Foundation of Goodness

Just a few months ago, most children in Seenigama had never been in a swimming pool. Those who could swim learnt in rivers or the sea, and almost none had ever received proper coaching. When they did swim in the ocean, they showed great endurance and talent – but were untrained in their strokes. After the tsunami, the sea became something to fear and few had the confidence to brave the water at all.

Now, in what may be a first for a rural Sri Lankan village, 185 children, youth and adults are receiving swimming coaching in a top class pool – and thanks to the generosity of pop star Bryan Adams, they don’t have to pay a cent.

Mr Bryan Adams, as the local refer to him, is the main donor for the swimming complex named in his honor, which he funded by auctioning one of his guitars and giving the 75,000 pound proceeds to the Foundation of Goodness (FoG).

This was enough for FoG to construct a 25m, six lane swimming pool, kiddie’s wading pool, showers and spectator stands which form part of the Seenigama Sports Academy. There was even enough left over to purchase land for the proposed multi-sports centre.

His support, along with Sri Lankan Speedo CEO Mr Sarinda Unamboowa who has donated swimwear for all the students, has opened up an opportunity for local people to increase their confidence in the water - whether they be beginners just learning to float, or more serious swimmers increasing their skills for competition.

Swimming coach Janaka Lal says that after three months of training, students are showing a marked improvement in their swimming style. With twenty years experience in the water, three national swimming records and qualifications in life saving, he is well equipped to help move the students toward his goal of having them compete in national competitions within the next few years.

He explains that many village children in Sri Lanka can’t swim and will never get the chance to learn properly, unlike the children who attend private schools in Colombo and have easy access to swimming facilities.

‘The children in this village are very poor and innocent.I like teaching them, and giving them an opportunity to succeed,’ he says.

‘They enjoy the classes and seem happy to be in the water, and the next course I teach will be lifesaving which will also improve their confidence.’

Two young students in his class are already succeeding on a competitive level, winning competitions held last month as part of the Laureus Sport for Good Seenigama Sports program.

Amila Lan is a 17 year old swimmer from Seenigama. He started learning to swim five years ago in the river in nearby Ambalangoda. Before he joined the coaching sessions in Seenigama, he had never swum in a swimming pool before.

He thinks the pool is high standard, and says that it was very kind of Bryan Adams to donate the pool to the village, which is poor.

After three months of training, with one lesson a week, his swimming skills have got much better. He likes swimming very much and is happy to be learning from a good coach. He thinks it is lucky for the village that there is no charge for the classes. He has competed in sea swimming competitions as well, and came 4th in the Seenigama Sports race earlier this year.

Swimming is his favourite sport, and he looks forward to improving. ‘I feel good and healthy when I’m swimming. I want to continue learning swimming skills,’ he says.

Twelve year old Tharushi Lakshani comes from Werallana, a small village near Seenigama. She started swimming two years ago at Ambalangoda, but the cost of the lessons were a lot for her family to afford.

She was very happy to be able to join classes in Seenigama, and thinks the pool is good because it’s close to where she lives and lessons are free.

She is a good swimmer who enjoys competing, and came first in the backstroke round of the Seenigama Sports competition. She aims high and has strong targets when she swims, and her goal is to swim at an international level.

She says that the swimming coach is a good teacher and her skills have improved, and she really likes that her friends can come to watch her compete and cheer her on.

Tharushi’s mother is very proud of her young daughter’s efforts, and happy she has the opportunity to pursue her goals.

These two swimming enthusiasts illustrate the enthusiasm and dedication that students are showing in their swim classes. Coach Janaka Lal says that the benefits of learning to swim properly are far reaching, and lists the three most important factors which make the program important for the villagers.

‘First, they learn to swim. Second, they learn to save lives. Third, they become fit and healthy,’ he says. ‘Next year I believe that the students will be ready to apply to compete in novice swimming meets, and some students will be able to go in the two mile sea swim. My aim is that by 2009, the students will be ready to compete in the national level competition.’

For a small village in rural Sri Lanka, the generosity of an international pop star has brought a world of benefits to their doorstep – and the future looks like it’s going to go swimmingly.