October Highlights
Foundation of Goodness' ongoing programmes have benefited 4,337 beneficiaries via 30 productive empowerment sectors covering 100+ villages free of cost from the South, North and East during this month at the cost of Rs. 19,806,434.95 (USD 135,875/-)
We received as many as 11 exciting collaborative value addition initiatives worldwide this month, by way of numerous concepts to be considered in improving the quality of life of the rural disadvantaged communities through our unique one of a kind holistic model.
You can now follow Kushil on both Twitter (@KushilFOG) and Instagram (kushilfog) for daily inspirational quotes that will add value and brighten your day with unique insights (over 100 quotes for managing your expectations).
Olympic Gold Medalist Swimmer Missy Franklin from USA along with the Laureus Sport For Good Foundation visited Seenigama, where Missy spent the day learning more about FoG, tried her hand at cricket and conducted a swimming coaching clinic at the Bryan Adams Pool where she also spent the morning going through her rigorous training routine. This was an incredible, once in a life time opportunity for the rural kids who learn to swim at our complex to meet and train with such an incredible sportswoman.
The 4th Edition of the Murali Harmony Cup took place from the 7th to the 11th of October, with 365 cricketers in action in 5 venues over 5 days across 100 km, with a special opening ceremony and meet & greet with Kumar Sangakkara taking place on the 6th. After 5 days of exciting cricket, Ananda College emerged as the Schoolboys’ Champion and Nittambuwa Ladies were the Ladies’ Champion. The teams were awarded their trophies by none other than Muthiah Muralidaran himself.
Kumar Sangakkara distributed 20 bikes to rural impoverished kids in Kilinochchi, who have no means to travel to school, as part of his Sanga’s Bikes for Life Campaign with the Foundation of Goodness which has distributed up to 3,700 bikes in the North and East.
50 scholarships were donated to the children surviving the aftermath of the devastating Koslanda, Meeriyabedda Landslide. The scholarships were part of a programme conducted by FoG to help the community get back on their feet and regain normalcy following the disaster.
Volunteers from Charlton Brown, Australia visit the Foundation of Goodness for the 5th consecutive year working in areas such as children's and aged care, Lahiru Pre-school, English Classes and the Children’s Goodness Club. The group also donated a GoPro to the Dive Centre, spectacles, three sewing machines, English books and a special cash donation to the Madampagama Elders’ Home.
Volunteer Lasitha Lakmal has initiated a JAVA class to the FoG IT Centre to benefit local youth who wish to pursue their talents as future programmers.
Ms. Malaika Gunawansa who has been working extensively with teacher training at the Lahiru Pre-school coordinated a special training session for the pre-school teachers at St. Bridget’s College.
Exceptional teenager Sonali Ranaweera from USA who funds bi-weekly oral care programmes for Seenigama Youth via the FoG Dental Clinic through her organization Recycling4Smiles has been awarded the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes in recognition of her exceptional service to society.
A group from the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects visited the MCC Centre of Excellence in Seenigama to gain a more in depth understanding of the work carried out. SLIA has come on board with the Foundation of Goodness to create the Master Plan for the North Learning & Empowerment Institute to be established in the North.
Volunteer Rachel Dennis who is a part of the FoG English Development Programme in Seenigama donated a large collection of educational resource material to improve the English Programme with the help of family and friends.
The Rathgama Village Heartbeat Project celebrated its 5th anniversary, which is a wonderful milestone for FoG. Rathgama is the second Village Heartbeat Project introduced by us and since then, we have opened another centre in Monaragala with plans underway for a fifth Centre in Kankasanthurai.
The Children’s Goodness Clubs had their annual concert and took the opportunity to display their wide array of talents in addition to also conducting a special art contest titled ‘Do Good, Be Good’ to celebrate World Children’s Day.
The Community Psycho-social Unit conducted a variety of workshops and seminars this month including a special programme for World Mental Health Day and a Teachers’ Day Programme, workshop on overcoming stage fright and an awareness programme about domestic violence for parents in collaboration with the Children’s Goodness Clubs.
T. L. Mendis and A. Geethanjana were part of the FOG Academy Karate team who participated in the Galle District Karate Competition organized by Sri Lanka Karate Do Federation- Southern Province and placed first in their respective categories, qualifying for the Southern Province Competition. In addition, T. Mendis and his brother I. Mendis participated in the 1st Shoto Karate Championship organized by the Japan Karate Shoto Federation placed first in their categories.
The FoG Academy Volleyball Team made it as far as the Semi-Finals at the Southern Province Volleyball Tournament while the Academy Netball Team made it to the Quarter Finals at the All Island Netball Competition.
Master Shihan Kagawa Masayoshi (Black Belt 8th Dan) from Japan conducted a 2 hour training session for over 100 karate students from Ambalangoda, Neluwa, Habaraduwa and Seenigama at the FoG Sports Complex Club House.
Mr. Hemantha Devapriya conducted his final monthly coaching camp (as sponsored by Tokyo Cement) for 56 cricketers aimed at improving their performance and developing special skills.
Ongoing monthly projects include Recycling4Smiles bi-weekly oral hygiene programmes and the sponsorship towards the Navodaya Centre for Special Children by FoG Trustee Muthiah Muralidaran. Such projects provide ongoing care to ensure the continued well-being of a wide cross section of beneficiaries.
Special community aid programmes carried out by our beneficiaries this month includes weekly beach cleaning programmes by the diving students, the monthly visit to Wellawatta Elders' Home by the Medical Centre Team and a Dengue Awareness Cleaning Programme conducted by Photography and Electrical Course students.
To learn about FoG’s recent visit to the North, please visit 'North Journey So Far'. Click Here.
From among the success stories to emerge from our 30 empowerment activity sectors this month, read about the achievements of Thushan Lakmal from the FoG Karate Team, as featured in our Success Stories section below.
The Foundation of Goodness is delighted to have 19 volunteers with us in October from USA, Canada, Sri Lanka, Denmark, Australia, Germany and UK, all of whom are adding value to our work.
117 Village Welfare projects amounting to Rs.2,442,599/- (USD 17,000/-) divided among areas such as healthcare, scholarships, electricity, water and general welfare were facilitated this month to uplift the living standards of rural villagers to ease their burden in addition to the ongoing campus style of operation in place.
TOTAL BENEFICIARIES
15+ years in the South : 250,000+
4+ years in the North and East: 23,000+
Major Upcoming Events:
HOPESONG, a concert to raise funds for the FoG Essential School Supplies Programme for the 2016 school year to take place on November 21st.
Magic Bus Group to visit in November.
British Sri Lanka Association (BriSLA) Fundraiser in UK to take place on November 14th.
FoG Founder/ Chief Trustee Kushil Gunasekera will speak at the SKILLS2015 International Conference in India.
Fundraising has begun for the 2016 Essential School Supplies Programme (USD 30/- per pack)
A 4th Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Plant sponsored by Mahela Jayawardena to be constructed in the East.
FoG’s 4th Village Heartbeat Project is under review to be introduced in Kankasanthurai, Jaffna District.
Tesco Charity Aid Walk to take place in March 2016. |
