As we approach the 17th month after the tsunami tragedy I am kind of still surprised how the power of the waves continue to attract greater force of compassion in support of rebuilding and enriching the quality of life of those who were badly affected. The deadly waves not only enabled us to reshape the village better but connected caring worldwide donors to divert their kindness in making things happen the way it should empowering better opportunities to the disadvantaged. It must be the most extraordinary way of relief that nature has granted after creating the most dreadful setback ever.

I can say so fearlessly because of the unbelievable blessings that have emerged for the good of the rural community which otherwise would never have materialized in the same manner. It could have only been a dream just like what I dreamt during my six year period of helping the villagers to address priority concerns hoping that my vision to make a better village will unfold someday but never ever in the way in which it did.

Just imagine having three English teachers from the UK stationed in the village to teach kids English or the opportunity to medically insure every single child in Seenigama not forgetting the sports development project incorporating seven villages in the neighbourhood, a paediatric clinic, schools infrastructure development projects, libraries to enhance knowledge, computer training centres, women's enterprise and empowerment, business leadership skills, children's play areas, industries for self employment, skills development programmes and a unique sports centre including a swimming pool and the list goes on adding endless opportunities for the future well being of rural children and youth.

The donors from all corners of the world can be very pleased that their funds directed to the FOG made a hugely positive difference to those in desperate circumstances thus alleviating their miseries. During this period it gives me much pleasure to place on record some of the progress highlights we have made in and around the village of Seenigama catering to the needs of nearly 15 villages.

As much as I had thought the world came to an end at the time, the world made the difference to make our village reappear from almost ruin to establish better standards that villagers richly deserve in the modern era.

The plan we had set to drive our village to greater heights is on course and by the second tsunami anniversary we envisage the many infrastructure developments also to be complete. The most significant two projects in that list are the sports centre funded by the Surrey County Cricket Club in the UK along with the world famous pop star, Bryan Adams sponsoring the swimming pool and the Centre of excellence by MCC at Lords, UK.

It is hard to describe how exciting this project is purely from the standpoint of empowering good opportunities to the disadvantaged children and youth who can now hope for much brighter prospects to enhance their professional careers.

There are so many to thank and acknowledge for making all these happen from overseas government aid programmes, corporate donors, public institutions, individual donors, sports associations, schools, children, volunteers and the list goes on and on. At the end I am confident that with all the plans in place there will be endless opportunities to develop in the right direction for the good of mankind and keep thinking of the very mysterious ways in which such blessings emerged and as they say you can only see the stars when it is dark enough.

The bigger challenge of course is to provide relief more compassionately on humanitarian grounds rather than by way of compulsion which will make the world even better.

May all the donors who cared to bring joy for those in desperate circumstances prosper greatly.

We make a living by what we get but we make a life by what we give.

Kushil Gunasekera
Founder/Trustee

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