The word empowerment is often heard within development circles, bandied about as though we all know what it means. The Foundation of Goodness itself is striving for the 'empowerment of rural communities'. In fact, the Foundation has a whole sector dedicated to Women's Empowerment and Enterprise Development.

But what does 'empowerment' really mean? And how can it be achieved?

The Foundation of Goodness has at its core a belief that a life spent in pursuit of riches, power and privilege is not a life well spent. Rather, the path to happiness comes through kindness, goodness and compassion, giving even when you have only a little to give, and asking nothing in return.

This is an ideal that runs through Sri Lankan culture and social structures. Those in need have for generations relied on richer cousins, links with people in authority, networks of friends in higher places to help them in times of trouble.

But it is an idea that empowers the privileged, as they have the ability to give. Too often it is assumed that those who are poor have nothing to give.

Of course in reality, within close knit communities everyone has a role and a responsibility to care for their family, neighbours, friends and distant relatives. This is the strength of rural communities, it is the strength of Sri Lankan society, where the fragmentation that has happened in the west is held at bay, where mothers don't need a special day to celebrate, because every day is mother's day.

In terms of the ideal of giving, the ultimate is then to empower those who are often seen as having nothing to give, to give whatever they can.

And this is just what the Foundation of Goodness is encouraging. Often questioned for giving classes, facilities, medicines and equipment free of cost to all beneficiaries, the Foundation of Goodness staff have come up with an ingenious solution. The principle of free-to- all facilities is at the heart of the compassion of the organisation which will not exclude people through demands for payment. But instead, the idea is this: ask students, children, service users to donate what they can towards a community aid project of their choosing. Collect the money as a group, carry out the work as a group, and give back to those who need more through the collective empowerment of those who are learning new skills, gaining confidence, and finding new opportunities to lift themselves up out of poverty.

Examples of community aid work projects undertaken include the Photography Class students from the MCC Centre of Excellence Business Skills Centre. They collected enough between them to be able to give a month's worth of essential food rations including rice, sugar and other dry foods, to a poor family from the neighbouring village who had asked for help from the Foundation of Goodness.

The Children's Goodness Clubs in Udumulla, Seenigama and Werellana aim to inculcate the spirit of goodness through productive activities for young people from rural communities. Their activities include regular community work programmes, and recently the groups have undertaken alms giving at the Werellana Elders' Home. The home has just recently relocated to the area and so is in great need of support. The Children's Goodness Club children provided lunch, essential supplies such as soap and toothpaste, to the elders, and entertained them with singing to bring smiles all round.

The women from the Women's Enterprise sewing class raised funds between them to be able to buy a pair of spectacles for a lady from the village, and also to pay 6 months of a mortgage for a family struggling to make ends meet in these difficult times.

The  Aviva IT Class and MCC Computer Training Centre have also been doing their bit for the community. The children from the Aviva village computer class carried out a clean-up of the village temple which had provided safety and refuge only four years ago as people rushed to escape the Tsunami waves. The MCC Computer Training Centre raised funds for six months to be able to help a local young boy pay for emergency medical treatment.

Community Aid Work is a cornerstone of the life skills development of children at the Seenigama Sports Academy. Every month, the teams including cricket, swimming, volleyball and netball, come together to carry out a community work project, learning the importance of giving back while instilling in the young people the knowledge that they are both responsible for, and able to care for, their community.

As a man experienced at giving all that he has, Kushil, Founder and Trustee of the Foundation of Goodness, lives his life by the values that he wishes to instil in the young people of rural communities. His message is simple. You can make a difference in the world, whoever you are, and whatever you have, it is up to you. One small act of kindness multiples.

2009.05.25