Christmas Eve 2007 was a very special day for the Foundation of Goodness’ Rainbow Clinic in Seenigama. It was the first of two specialist medical clinics conducted by a team of Australian medical specialists who sacrificed their valuable time and finances for the benefit of the villagers.

The first clinic, held on 24 December, was led by Dr Sian Hughes, a Pediatrics specialist and Dr Kamala de Silva. The all-day clinic attracted over 140 people and the queue stretched late into the evening.

The second camp on 06 January was lead by Dr. Quintus de Zylva and members of his Australia Sri Lanka Medical Aid Team (AuSLMAT) which had conducted several similar clinics in hospitals throughout Sri Lanka. The camp was held from 9.30am until late afternoon, offering consultations and advice to over 200 patients from in and around the Seenigama region.

The treatment, provided by these eminent doctors was, of course, free. Villagers of all ages gathered at the medical centre from the early hours of the morning to take the maximum benefit of the services by these international specialists, a rare opportunity indeed for them. From children with the common flu symptoms to the elderly with aching joints, all were treated with the best care, kindness and professionalism by these doctors.

These doctors who work full time for leading hospitals in addition to running their own practices have sacrificed a great deal in dedicating their valued time unconditionally towards the people in the village. Having come to Sri Lanka and visited the village for a day was indeed a blessing to this community as they tirelessly provided their undivided attention to the adults and children of the village.

All the patients’ diagnosis’ were recorded and the appropriate medication was prescribed from the medical centre’s pharmacy, which kept the medical assistants busy. Some medication however was donated by the doctors themselves who had a supply brought from overseas especially for the clinics.

The generosity of the doctors extended not only to medication they provided for the benefit of the clinic but also included the special gifts given to the village community as a whole. Whilst Dr Prabath Nanayakkara from the Netherlands Free University Hospital in Amsterdam gifted toys and stickers for the children at the pre-Christmas clinic, Dr Quintus and his team brought with them items of clothing (winter wear, coats, pants, shirts, t-shirts, socks), babies clothes, bibs, caps, pillow cases, toys, Frisbees, children’s books, bag, English books and medicine for the children and adults both.

Dr Shirley from the medical centre was elated by the results of these medical camps. ‘It was great to see a large crowd attended these special medical clinics, especially such a poor community as this,’ he said.

Dr Quintus de Zylva of AuSLMAT had a special word of thanks for Red Cross Australia for their support in providing bags of soft toys which are delivered to the needy children upon each visit to Sri Lanka. AuSLMAT plans to make its 15th post-tsunami visit to Sri Lanka again later this year and will arrive with another package of toys, books and clothing which no doubt will be received with open arms.

It is pertinent to mention that the immediate President Mr David Cruse of AuSLMAT has been of immense help in adding value to the numerous humanitarian projects initiated by the Foundation of Goodness.

“There is no such thing as other people’s children”. Hilary Rodham Clinton in NEWSWEEK January 1996.