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The following comments highlight some of the fantastic feedback that the Foundation has received. These people are proud to be associated with the Foundation and they serve as a testament to the management ability and credibility of the Foundation. |
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The Bryan Adams Swimming Pool is AMAZING! Thank you so much for the information and the photographs. Bryan is thrilled. it looks fantastic...
~Alicia Grimaldi, Assistant to Bryan Adams |
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It is just so pleasing to see dreams into realities and I congratulate you and all your team on the fantastic job to which everyone has been so committed. The outcome looks wonderful and I look forward to my... visit with great anticipation.
~Tom Seabrook, Quenby Group |
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We can all feel very proud with what you have achieved.... you have made a fantastic contribution to the local communities ravaged by the tsunami and I am sure that they are all extremely grateful.
~Roger Knight, former CEO, MCC |
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No wonder you have been so busy... Congratulation on the achievement of a lifetime.
~Jugta Kahai, Oak Island Pediatrics |
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Congratulation on all the great work you are doing for the betterment of humanity. The community on your villa are certainly very blessed to have someone like you to provide all the facilities for them and give them an equal opportunity in life.
~Crystal Martin |
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I am completely awe struck with the scale and size of the FOG Project. It has to be one of the most impressive projects of its type that I have seen, and I feel it is a showcase of best practice in rural and international development. You must be rightly proud of the many great things which it is achieving for the Sri Lankan people, and I only wish it could be replicated across the island.
~Adrian Yalland, CrickAid.net |
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The work you have done is amazing and you have helped so many people; not only in the area of housing but also health care, the environment, sports and much more. We really enjoy hearing of your progress and your obvious success. We would like to wish you the best of luck in inspiring other regions and empowering disadvantaged communities throughout the globe.
~ The Shane Warne Foundation |
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I see progress is continuing at a fast pace in the village. I would have loved to be there for the Centre of Excellence opening. You have the ability to deliver your mission that anyone i have ever met. I remember the initial concept paper for the centre of excellence and to think that it is coming to fruition is amazing.
~ Arjun R Fernando |
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We are really proud of you and your foundation where you all have done so much for this needy people. I am really happy that I managed to help in a very little way to this worthy cause. We will continue to support whenever possible with such projects.
~Gehan Silva |
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I am convinced that the project is a genuine one and what they do to help the villagers (something very rare these days) has to be applauded and admired. though i read latter about them in the Internet, I had little idea exactly what they intended to do when I took the initiative. However, after witnessing the event on the 26th and listening to Kushil in person and seeing the happy faces of the little ones, I am happy that with the help of all of you we contributed towards this good cause.
~Goerge Hettiarachchi |
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Your foundation is a model for others to follow since your deeds do the talking. I sincerely wish you all the very best and may your dedicated leader Kushil be granted the grace to carry on the good work. he is truly a unique person and his effort and commitment in helping the needy is such a true inspiration to most of us!
~Kokila and Dharmasiri Agalawatta |
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We have helped so many charitable organization, but happy to say that this is the first time we saw what is happening on the ground and most importantly where our donation has directed that deserving family. We will do our best to visit Seenigama this year too and when we do, meet you lovely people.
~Kokila and Dharmasiri Agalawatta |
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Although our tour with TCS Expeditions visited several location in the Indian Ocean region, our thoughts repeatedly returned to Seenigama, where we witnessed a mix of tragedy, combined with your awesome showing of compassion and commitment. The visit to your ambitions project was one of the highlights of our tour. We compliment your incredible efforts and our family would be hounoured if we could assist your efforts...
~Jack Loew
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I am amazed to realise the devotion, the commitment and the determination in you in handling the volume of charity work at Seenigama. I strongly feel that, we need a few more Kushils in Sri lanka to look after the whole of Sri Lanka.
~Ivan Sovis, Dubai |
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Kushil is like a god to the village. He doesn't choose people over others. He encourages everyone to continue to live.
~T.H. Nandawathi, recipient of first house built by the foundation of Goodness |
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Our visit to Seenigama last month was the most memorable experience of our lives. Thank you for such a warm welcome.
~Margaret Donald, author of Eli the Eliphant |
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Bryan and I very much appreciate your efficiency and constant feedback.
~Alicia Grimaldi (Assistant to world-famus singer, Bryan Adams) |
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I continue to be deeply impressed by your great achievements in favour of the poor of Seenigama and was delighted to read the wonderful news in The Age that Premier Steve Bracks travelled to your village in order to finalize a AUD 3.2 million project in partnership with the Foundation of Goodness. Please accept hearty congratulations that are due to you and your great team which is showing the rest of Sri Lanka and many parts of the world how relief should be dispersed effectively and efficiently. My very best wishes to you and your team for your continued success in the future.
~Mohan Samarasinghe |
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It has been a real pleasure to be of some help, and your work is a real inspiration to us - all power to you... My best wishes to you and your team and many thanks again for keeping is updated with your progress. You are achieving something truly remarkable.
~Tim Roupell |
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Very well done, Kushil. You are a great source of inspiration to many and this world would be such a nice place if we only had few more people like you in Governance. My congratulation and best wishes to you and your dedicated team for the wonderful success stories and I am sure you will do even better in the future.
~Sharmalee Jayasinghe |
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It is so frustrating to read the events taking place in Sri Lanka these days (including unfortunately the game of cricket as well). Now I read only about Unconditional Compassion on the Internet, relating to Sri Lanka [i.e. the Foundation of Goodness]. At least there is something to read and to be proud of being Sri Lankan
~George Hettiarachchi |
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I was truly amazed at the vast changes that had taken place since my last visit. Your effort and unconditional compassion has truly born fruit in making Seenigama a showpiece. more than the material evidence, those whom I worked with exuded happiness and gladness. They said that they were very pleased with what you are doing for them. They appreciated the efforts being made to make them productive to enable them to stand on their own feet in due time. Much merit to you!
~Naleeka de Silva |
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I wanted to touch base with you to thank you so much for arranging for me to visit your incredible project in Seenigama and to reiterate what I told you on the phone. Your project is the single most comprehensive, well designed, effective and impressive facility I have ever seen in Sri Lanka. I was astonished and inspired all at once.
- Clare Allen, UK
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Kushil Gunasekera who is the founder of the Foundation of Goodness and a village near Seenigama (near Hikkaduwa) that has provided wonderful sports, education and other facilities for under-privileged children of all backgrounds. USAID has supported their activities. He is a wonderful man, who represents the best of Sri Lanka... ... ... I will definitely follow up on trying to get a website up that can include your and other great projects.
- Robert Blake, US Ambassador to Colombo |
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The visitors from Gujarat & our own Rotary members were so happy that they were able to see for themselves, the transformation of a tsunami devastated village to what it is now - with housing projects, elders & children's homes, women's enterprise etc. etc.
The team members in general & the leader in particular mentioned to me last night that they have seen & got involved in many projects after the earthquake in Gujarat a couple of years back, but have not seen a well organized & a meticulous project like what they saw at Seenigama yesterday. Thank you & Podi for all your assistance provided to visit the Foundation of Goodness.
-Ari, Mid-City Rotarians, Colombo
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Thank you for your prompt response. I feel it is appropriate to let you all know how much I appreciate the manner in which you and your supporting staff executed not only our current transaction but also those in the past. Everyone appears to handle things promptly and very efficiently. It is also evident that there is excellent coordination amongst all of the personnel I dealt with. To me it simply is an exceptional standard especially for a Sri Lankan outfit. I have no hesitation in stating that your services with respect to my dealings with you were second to none anywhere worldwide.
Please keep up the good work! May all of your endeavors be extremely successful in all aspects!
Best regards, Shelton |
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I am a Sri Lankan and i just was watching travel and living channel and watched the Anthony Bourdain showand I'm very ashamed that I had to get to know about this Foundation through a program filmed and aired on a foreign network. Definitely what you have done is something beyond what any government could have done. Seeing people like you doing good to this nation actually motivated me a lot in what i plan to do in the future which is to help educate children.
I went through the website and saw how much the Foundation has spread it wings to help the people. One request- this kind of things needs to be known by many. This should not stop at Seenigama but go beyond that. I cant do much to help at the moment but I did by sharing the site on Facebook. Wish i can help the Foundation in anyway I can andIi also would like wish all the best to you Sir and the organisation. May the Blessings of the Triple Gem be with all of you.
- Sulochana |
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There is a man with a good brain. Where is the man with the good heart?
There is a man with good abilities. Where is the man with good behaviour?
There is a man with good creativity. Where is the man with good spirituality?
There is a man who has responsibilities. Where is the man who has fulfilled his duties?
There is a man who has power. Where is the man who has valuable feelings?
There is a man who has money. Where is the man who has humanity?
I have found him!
The property LAHIRU which means the light rays of the sun originated from the ancestors of the Gunasekera family which was inherited by the founder/trustee of the Foundation of Goodness, Mr Kushil Gunasekera.
Kushil has created development from destruction and devastation. The 2004 Tsunami claimed the lives of 120 children, youth and elders of the Seenigama village. The stories of survival and desperation leave you speechless. Kushil talks of how after the first wave came through at about 3ft. high he made his way to the Lahiru Pre School and took the 30 children to safety up high in the temple. From their he watched as the second wave came in over 30ft. high easily clearing the coconut trees along the coastline.
I am so very pleased to see the 'light rays of the sun' Kushil and the Foundation of is shining on women of the villages. They are employed as teachers, cleaners, and empowered through education in computers, haberdashery, English, hair/beauty and photography and encouraged and assisted to move into micro businesses. My heart shines every day in Seenigama.
Hayley Kirk - Sydney , Australia |
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At last I get time to sit down and reflect on the amazing experience we had at Seenigama. We should start with congratulations on your founding and stewardship of such a terrific multi dimensional facility. We are proud to be connected and hope to stay so for a long time.
Dave and Kerry |
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I'd like to show my appreciation and gratitude in giving me the opportunity to work as part of your team. It has been a real, once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. As well as a true insight to the sheer volume of work and dedication you give to the Foundation of Goodness. It really is inspiring to see the success first hand that you bring to FoG; how you take care of donors, volunteers and every staff member, all the way through to interacting with all community members. It is very difficult to describe to my family and friends in great detail what exactly FoG does and who they help (there are so many beneficiaries now) so I simply direct them to your website. - Amanda Chapple |
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Dear Kushil,
Thank you very much for sending me NEP-Journey So Far. I was aware of what you were planning to do. What is amazing is what has already been done and achieved in such a short period. Fantastic !
With fond wishes,
Herbert Perera |
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Thanks Kushil,
For allowing me the opportunity to see the Foundation at Seenigama. I was very touched by all the kids there on the day enjoying sports and having so much fun. Frazana and Sulangan really looked after me and I could feel the transformation that the Foundation is making on the lives of not only the children but also the many more that are in the class rooms, workshops, preschool and computer labs. It is truly visionary and absolutely inspirational.
I think the business model is particularly genius, it brings rigour to the operation and shifts dependency onto personal empowerment. What you get is what you sow, there is an ethic there that people can embody and find solace and dignity in their own hard work; that in the end of the day they are the masters of their own destiny.
For me the even more heartfelt is to witness the practice of disciplined compassion in the operation of the Foundation. What the Buddha and many other great sages taught have been and can be operationalised in the legal, financial and political frameworks of today, in a model understandable to both donors and beneficiaries. This is truly an art that takes a lot of wisdom to make happen. As there are many people with good intentions but few manage to build a movement from their intentions and you have done it so eloquently.
Ted Chen |
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You are truly amazing being!
I read an article about you how a writer had praised
you when you were asked " Do you want to get into politics?"
You said " I wouldn't barter my compassion for a vote"
Deepika Sticco
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The Public Service Medal is the highest award for someone in my occupation in Australia. I am told that the selection process is quite rigorous and that many nominations are unsuccessful. Having worked on putting together nominations for other awards in the Australian Honours system, I have an understanding of the enormous effort that goes into submitting a nomination. It was no surprise to find out that you were one of the people who had contributed to my nomination and its success. Your leadership and standing in the international humanitarian field would have carried great weight. The letter you provided is quite humbling. I agree entirely with your final comment “beauty of life does not depend on how happy we are but how happy others are because of us” .
Kushil, I have been lucky to work with some incredibly inspirational people such as you, who showed me what could be achieved through the power of positive thinking, no matter how bad things were. Your compassion and great love of people, even the scoundrels, makes me try to be a better
person.
Thank you for your friendship.
~ Sue Williams (Principal Adviser Public Information Security and Emergency Management Branch Department of Premier and Cabinet) |
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