December Highlights
Foundation of Goodness' ongoing programmes have benefited 7,314 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. 16,533,690.49 (USD 115,638/-)
We received as many as 7 exciting collaborative value addition initiatives worldwide this month, by way of numerous concepts to be considered in improving the quality of life of disadvantaged communities through our unique one of a kind holistic model that enables us to fulfill our aspiration of bridging the gap between the rural and urban sectors.
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The Foundation of Goodness commemorated 11 years of rebuilding and growth since the devastation caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami with a special programme held at the Seenigama Temple.
Northern Province Minister of Education, Cultural Affairs and Sports, Mr. Thambyrajah Gurukularajah paid a historic visit to the MCC Centre of Excellence in Seenigama to tour our one of a kind holistic rural community model which is to be replicated in the North. As a goodwill gesture of further reconciliation, unity, harmony and peace he presented 300 Essential School Packs donated by the Oru Paanai Trust to students from the South and the Foundation of Goodness returned this gesture by gifting 600 school packs towards children from the Northern, Eastern and Estate Communities.
The Murali Harmony Cup Unity Team returned to Sri Lanka after a 10 day tour to Sharjah organised by Kevin Pietersen’s KP24 Foundation during which time they had the incredible experience of receiving cutting edge training and media skills in addition to the opportunity to play against teams from around the world.
The distribution of Essential School Supplies Packs ahead of the 2016 school year began in December, with the FoG team travelling all across the island to hand deliver these packs to the most rural and needy students in the island. The deliveries continue on to the early weeks of January with FoG targeting 3,000 bags to be distributed this year.
FoG provided flood relief items including mosquito nets, linen and dry rations to 58 families in Manthuvil, Jaffna to help them get back on their feet following severe rain damage to the area.
Oriflame Lanka conducted a workshop for the BPO staff on the subject of ‘Self Development & Team Dynamics’ to aid their personal goals as well as to create greater cohesion among the team and develop their skills.
The Foundation of Goodness renovated the Madampagama Elders' Home with the kind sponsorship of Ramya Tennakoon and Stellario Realty Group to bring new joy to the lives of the residents.
Dushan Soza with WNS Global donated 10 used computers to the Foundation of Goodness to support our quest to provide easy access to computers and other IT resources to rural villagers, with distributions to take place in early January.
Dive Seenigama, Dive Lanka, FoG’s dive tourism sustainable income generation project, recently purchased a Banana Boat as a fun addition to the expanding water sports centre. All profits from Dive Seenigama go towards sustaining and developing the local community.
Our 4th Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Plant which is funded by Trustee and cricketing legend Mahela Jayawardena has now been completed and we hope to hand it over to the use of the villagers during an official opening ceremony in January 2016.
Long-term volunteer Rachel Dennis has extended the scope of her English classes to the Sports Academy beneficiaries, not only to help them develop their English skills, but also with the knowledge that this will be essential for the high performers who will be selected for international tours or national representation.
The Lahiru Pre-school had an exciting month, entertaining us all with their annual concert and the Elocution class talent show where they impressed everyone with their creativity and talent.
In the spirit of the season and to mark the ending of a year of giving, the FoG staff collected funds to donate dry rations to needy families, and volunteer Rachel chose to spend her Christmas visiting Meth Sewa Foundation for differently abled children, bringing them good cheer and dry rations for hearty meals.
Insead Club Cricket Team - UK, Grootviei Sport Academy – South Africa, New Plymouth College - New Zealand, Rugby School – UK visited the Sports Academy for a friendly match to expand the experience of both the visitors and hosts.
A special badminton coaching session was conducted by Dhanushka Kannangara at the Sports Academy to develop the skills of our players.
Ongoing monthly projects include Recycling4Smiles bi-weekly oral hygiene programmes initiated by Sonali Ranaweera- the a remarkable 17 year old from USA who has now been contributing to FoG for 28 consecutive months, the sponsorship towards the Navodaya Centre for Special Children by FoG Trustee Muthiah Muralidaran and the monthly grocery packs donated to families in need by Sapan Nainani & his family and Gemma Nolan. 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 cleaning programmes at Elders’ Homes and the Kahawa Temple, weekly beach cleaning programmes by the diving students, monthly visit to Wellawatta Elders' Home by the Medical Centre Team and special donation by the IT sector to a disabled child and by the students from the MCC Centre of Excellence for childcare, grocery packs and medication.
To learn about FoG’s recent visit to the North including the donation of 16 bikes, 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 Sutharshini from the Kilinochchi Beauty Culture Course, as featured in our Success Stories section below.
Many donors worldwide have gifted various items to benefit rural kids and youth including toys, books, and sports equipment to develop skills and improve the living standards of rural beneficiaries.
The Foundation of Goodness is delighted to have 12 volunteers with us in December from USA, Sri Lanka, UK, Australia, Canada and China, all of whom are adding value to our work.
104 Village Welfare projects amounting to Rs. 1,352,475.22 (USD 9,420/-) divided among areas such as Elders’ Home Renovation, healthcare, scholarships, sports, 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
16+ years in the South : 300,000+
5+ years in the North and East: 25,000+
Major Upcoming Events:
Fundraising continues for the 2016 Essential School Supplies Programme (USD 30/- per pack) as the programme draws to a close end January.
MCC Chief Executive Derek Brewer to visit Seenigama in late January.
Gunasekera Memorial Swimming Championship to take place in January.
The graduation ceremonies for many of the courses offered by the Foundation of Goodness will also take place in January.
Two overseas cricket teams will be visiting the Seenigama Academy in January for Community Aid Sports Tours.
The 4th Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Plant sponsored by Mahela Jayawardena to be handed over to the villagers of Pahalagama, Dehiatthakandiya.
Official opening of the new Business Process Outsourcing building in January.
Valentines Day Ball organised by Bayside Community Outreach, Brisbane (Australia) to raise funds for the Essential School Supplies Programme.
FoG’s 4th Village Heartbeat Project is under review to be introduced in Kankasanthurai, Jaffna District.
Tesco Charity Aid Walk to take place in Summer, 2016. |
