Children at the Balapitiya Girls Orphanage had a memorable day in June, when they were joined by an energetic group of students from the Interact Club of Asian International School (AIS) to spruce up their living quarters and also take part in an afternoon of fun and games as well.
This was not the first time that students from AIS have partaken in events coordinated by the Foundation of Goodness (FoG). These youngsters celebrated a New Year festival in Seenigama in April this year for the second year running.
 AIS Interact Club students help to paint
the Balapitiya Girls Orphanage
This time around, lending a hand at the Balapitiya Girls Orphanage the AIS students first got down to some serious business of helping to spruce up the home. Rolling up their sleeves and with paint bucket and brush in hand, they gave a new look to the dining room and entrance areas.
This work being done by the AIS Interact Club students led by its president Janitha, was a part of the bigger picture that was happening that day. The Balapitiya Girls Orphanage had its dormitory building and toilet complex upgraded as well.
 One of the upgraded dorms with
railings
for privacy curtains
Two of the dormitories were the focus of this effort which saw the walls painted, privacy curtains installed, new fans fixed and the dorms rewired. All this work was carried out by hired builders and electricians who also painted the toilet complex (nine cubicles) and courtyard.
This part of the days work at the Balapitiya Girls Orphanage was thanks to two very special donors, Heather and Stewart Ritchie, who have been supporting FoG’s ongoing work since the tsunami. A friend of this couple Elizabeth McKennon of ‘Messrs. James & George Collie’ a Scotland based company, was the event’s fundraiser and had collected funds from friends and family in Scotland. In a very sincere and touching gesture these donors provided link ribbons for the girls to wear on the day.
 Time for fun and games – picture charades,
volleyball and fold-the-paper in session
The day was not all work - there was lots of fun as well which included time for games such as picture-charades to keep the young children busy and entertained and musical chairs, fold-the-paper, volleyball and pass-the-cushion.
 Handing out gifts packs
The girls were really happy when in the afternoon Stewart Ritchie cut a cake at the home, so the orphaned girls could help him celebrate his birthday. Later the AIS students handed gift pack to the girls containing essential items.
 The happy children - Balapitiya Girls Orphanage
and AIS Interact Club
Commenting on the success of this happy day and good work Kushil Gunasekera, founder/trustee of FoG said “it has always been a dream to adopt an orphanage within our holistic plan of action in addressing numerous needs in the rural communities. Heather and Stewart who have contributed immensely since the tsunami for the welfare of children and school infrastructure development were again at their best in support of yet another hugely worthy cause, giving of their resources, time and hands on experience along with their donor friends in Scotland to do more good for humanity. This couple has been absolutely amazing in enriching the quality of life and we consider ourselves blessed to be associated with such magnanimous hearts.”
“As far as we can discern,
the sole purpose of human existence
is to kindle a light of meaning
in the darkness of mere being”
- Carl Gustav Jung
2008.07.21 |
