The Rythm Foundation has joined the Foundation of Goodness in its work to empower rural children and youth through productive activities, following a visit to the village last month where staff were impressed by the extent of activities being delivered in Seenigama.

The Foundation of Goodness has been working for the betterment of villagers for ten years, with the aim of narrowing the gap between urban and rural Sri Lanka, particularly focused on developing a holistic community development model.  This has now been established in Seenigama, benefiting 20,000 people from the Southwest, thanks to the generous compassion of many national and international donors in the months and years following the devastation caused by the 2004 Tsunami.

Today, 4 years on from those tragic events, the Foundation of Goodness is facing a new challenge. The cleaning up and rebuilding work is done. Now the struggle is to sustain the amazing and vital services that have been established. The understanding of local context and the commitment to tackling local needs through empowerment and development of facilities have underpinned the FoG's approach for many years, contributing to the organisation's effectiveness and impact.

Hence it is with great joy that we receive sponsorship from Rythm Foundation for the sustainability of children's activities in the area including the Udumulla Village Heartbeat Project, Children's Goodness Clubs, Lahiru Pre school, English and IT classes.

Children and youth overcome Urban-Rural divide to celebrate New Year, Sri Lankan style

One of the most concerning developments in Sri Lanka over the last few decades has been the increasing disparity between rural and urban life. The Foundation of Goodness aims to tackle this growing divide, by providing facilities and services to uplift villages and to showcase a community development model to empower those living in rural areas to excel.

This month is Tamil & Sinhala New Year, and an occasion perfect for celebration and festivities. For the third year, Colombo's Asian International School Interact Club have visited Seenigama, to welcome the new year with fun games and activities, hand in hand with the Children's Goodness Club and Seenigama Sports Academy.

This year, thanks to timely sponsorship from the Rythm Foundation and contributions from AIS Interact Club itself, the visit brought together children from these two worlds to share the new year together. Expertly arranged by FoG staff and AIS students, the day started bright and early for our urban visitors, who arrived at the MCC Centre of Excellence for a tour of the facilities in the heart of the village. This was a real eye opener for some, who have never visited a community like this.

The surprises continued as students arrived at the beautiful MCC sponsored Sri Sumangala Cricket Ground, where festivities were opened with the raising of flags, the lighting of the traditional oil lamp, and dancing by girls from the Children's Goodness Club.

Games included the sack race, bun eating, find the coin, pillow fight, tug of war and musical chairs. To round off the day, a cricket match between AIS and Sri Sumangala College, a fitting end to a beautiful day before the heavens opened and forced children indoors for a well earned lunch break.

After lunch the children reconvened at the Bryan Adams Swimming Pool for swimming races and giving of prizes, which included awards to those swimmers who did so well in the six mile sea swim last month, which prizes were given thanks to the generous donation from the Galle Face Hotel made during the Cannonball Run in March.

The day was a resounding success, with AIS students commenting on the quality of the facilities provided by the Foundation of Goodness and their anticipation of more fun next year, while Seengama Children's Goodness Club children finished the day off with traditional dancing.

Kushil, Founder and Trustee of the Foundation of Goodness, when asked about the event said “if the children of the cities and the children of the villages never meet, the gap between them will only continue to grow. Events like this give rural children the opportunity to show others their way of life, including teaching these urban students traditional Sinhala games and activities. Its a great opportunity to make friends and have fun, and the memories are bound to stay with all concerned for a long time. It is by enabling these connections to be made that we can ensure that the leaders of tomorrow are leaders of integrity, wisdom and compassion.  Whether from a rural background or urban, all children should have the opportunity to meet new people, learn new things and develop a respect for others that can only come from knowing and understanding that ultimately we are all the same.”

2009.04.13