An Effort To Empower Rural Communities In Sri Lanka
January 25, 2010 —
In 1999, Kushil Gunasekera, a native of the coastal village of Seenigama, thought to create an organization that would help uplift the lives of rural communities in Sri Lanka. As a young boy, he had the opportunity to succeed and branch out above and beyond his hometown. Though he had been fortunate enough to have received a good education at a reputable school, which in turn opened up many opportunities for him, many of his friends in his village were not so fortunate to have had the same.
Gunasekera vowed to devote his time, energy, and resources to assist the people of his region so that they too would have the opportunity to excel above and beyond their dreams. Together with a dedicated Board of Trustees and a committed staff, Gunasekera launched the Foundation of Goodness, a registered non-governmental organization, to provide essential services to rural communities.
The Foundation of Goodness (FoG) announces their mission as being dedicated to the empowerment of ‘less privileged rural communities whilst inculcating the spirit of goodness so that [those rural communities] may have equal opportunities to excel in life.’ FoG brings this mission to life by creating a sustainable community model to inspire other regions and disadvantaged communities around the world.
Part of creating that community model includes ensuring that shelter, access to sanitation, electricity, clean water, medical facilities, and equal education exists for all persons. Skills development and job-oriented training are also given in an effort to provide all adults of working age with the skills they need to succeed in the real world.
The generous donations that FoG has received over the years has allowed them to help some 20,000 villagers in about 25 local villages. FoG’s efforts are focused through projects across many areas including housing, livelihoods, healthcare, children and education, environment management, rebuilding lives, and sports. A good number of these activities are coordinated through the MCC Centre of Excellence. FoG, partnering with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), developed this facility which includes a medical center that services upwards of 1,500 person per month, a women’s enterprise division, an environment project management office, a business skills development center, a modern computer lab, a preschool, a handicraft boutique, the Rebuilding Lives Program, an English school, a gallery, accommodation for volunteers, donors, and trainers, and more.
FoG notes that with the generous support of sustainable funding and affiliated professional academic bodies, the MCC Centre of Excellence helps more than 500 students per year complete a workshop free of charge.
The work done by FoG, however, isn’t just focused on Seenigama and the surrounding region; the organization also reaches out to disadvantaged communities in Sigiriya, Knuckles Range, Petulant, Colombo, and the recent IDPs in the North by donating essential supplies.
Anyone can contribute to the Foundation of Goodness and their efforts to help uplift less fortunate communities.
To find out how you can help and to find out more about FoG’s work, visit their website.