Aussies show their support as Kushil tours
down-under
Links between Australia and the Sri Lankan
village of Seenigama have been further strengthened during a
recent tour of Perth, Sydney and Melbourne by Foundation of
Goodness (FoG) founder Kushil Gunasekera.
In a flying visit to pay tribute to
the many Australians who gave their time, effort and
money to help rebuild the Seenigama region after the
devastating 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, Kushil attended a
slew of functions to let FoG supporters know that their
generosity is continuing to make lives better on a daily
basis. With a packed itinerary that saw him visit three
capitals in one week, Kushil made it his mission to
thank the people of Australia for their continued
interest and show them how, with FOG’s facilitation,
Seenigama is moving forward in leaps and bounds.
‘The Foundation of Goodness has a vision for a future where
rural inhabitants can enjoy the same opportunities as their city
cousins – something I think Australians appreciate’, he said. ‘This
visit gave me an opportunity to offer sincere thanks for
what Australian support has made possible in a village
that only two years ago was in ruins.’
The tour included several outstanding events which
highlight the strong partnerships between Australian
donors and FoG.
Perth – 11th January
Perth’s Lord Mayor Dr Peter Nattrass hosted a
reception in recognition of the Perth City Council’s
collaboration with FoG to build 30 houses in Seenigama as part
of their ‘Adpot-a-village’ program.
Attendees included FoG supporters Frank Crawley - the Hon.
Counsel for Sri Lanka in Perth, former Australian cricketer and
Chief Executive of the Western Australian Cricket Association
Tony Dodemaide, and Mr Willie Weerasekera, an ardent supporter
of FoG who has contributed to its development in numerous ways,
including co-ordinating the ‘Adopt-a-village’ project in
Seenigama. Also present at this function was
Miss Jillian Ray, an Australian Youth Ambassador for
Development (AYAD) who joined FoG three months prior to
the tsunami and became heavily engaged in the
post-tsunami operations after witnessing the destruction
caused by the waves.
Sydney – 14th January
The Founders of Goodness Sydney branch hosted
an event at which Kushil paid tribute to the state’s donors. He
acknowledged the efforts of the branch members, in particular
enthusiastic supporters Andrea Pereira, Crystal & Melissa Martin
and patron Mr Harry Solomons, as well as Mr Doug Crosby who has
made significant donations to the Foundation’s cause. Kushil also lunched at the New South Wales Cricket grounds with
its Chairman Robert E Horsell and Chief Executive Dave Gilbert.
Cricket New South Wales have made a substantial contribution to
the Seenigama Oval Accommodation Centre, as well as pledging to
send some of their junior teams to visit the village and play
cricket, all thanks to the efforts of Mr Harry Solomons.
Melbourne - 19th January
A major highlight of Kushil’s trip was his
visit to Melbourne, where he delivered a presentation at the
Knox Restaurant to attendees including Chief Guests the
Victorian Deputy Premier John Thwaites and his wife Melanie
Eagle.
At the event Kushil signed a
Memorandum of Understanding between Foundation
of Goodness and the Melbourne based HELP Sri
Lanka, and received generous donations from
Professional Investment Services, the Dandenong
East Chapter of Rotary, Mr. Bob Bairstow, and
Esther Hannibelsz in memory of her late husband. The donations will help fund
the Women’s Enterprise Centre at the Centre of
Excellence, and a children’s play park.
Knox Restuarant owners and long time
FoG supporters David and Cathy Cruse made the event
possible by providing a banquet for nearly 150 attendees
free of charge. David has made numerous contributions to
FoG - from building houses to sponsorships of students,
medical support, development of cricket facilities and
other kind deeds - in a very low profile manner
FoG’s first AYAD Jillian Ray also
attended the function and summed up her affection for
Sri Lankans and the Seenigama region in an address to
the attendees, commenting that:
‘I
think I was the luckiest girl in the word to get the
Youth Ambassador position with the Foundation of
Goodness in Sri Lanka. It was definitely the best place
for me to be at that time. I have been missing Sri Lanka
so much…I am sure I will visit again sometime soon.’
Kushil also took the opportunity to join Victorian Premier
Steve Bracks at the men’s final of the Australian Open
tennis championship. Kushil met Mr Bracks through the
Victoria Gardens Housing Project, which will see 84 tsunami
affected families from the Seenigama region receive brand
new homes build with Victorian Government funding.
‘I was lucky enough to enjoy haute cuisine dinner and fourth
row seats in the Center Court of the Rod Laver Arena – a
once in a life time opportunity for a village boy like me’,
he says with a laugh.
Currently under constructions, application of high
Australian Standards looks set to make the Victoria Gardens
one of the best post-tsunami housing projects in the region.
Kushil also held discussions with institutions such as RMIT
University and the Architect’s Association to outline
development processes which aim to create a rural community
model that can be replicated throughout developing nations.
While the visit was brief, Kushil was delighted to have met
so many of the donors across country, saying:
‘The generosity displayed by Australians at a
critical time of need was extremely important, and
on behalf of the Foundation I am glad to have the chance to
express my deepest gratitude. This spirit of giving has
enriched our rural communities so that they may experience
greater well being and success.
‘I think that it is fair to say Australia is one of our
major partners and I hope that our relationship continues to
flourish in the future.’
