On 1st August 2009, 105 students assembled at the Aviva Village Community Centre in  Seenigama for their computer course graduation ceremony. Having completed the three month courses in graphic design – 23 students, micro soft office – 32 students, internet & e-mail – 29 students and web design – 21 students, who have come from as close as Seenigama, Hikkaduwa, Batapola, Kahawa, Akurala, Aluthwala and as far as Boossa, Rathgama, Ambalangoda, Delwatte, Meetiyagoda and Baddegama areas, as this courses have become very popular and needed for future carrier developments. Courses were led by local instructors, Amila Dilruk, Raveendra and Saman Kumara. The students were keen to show off their new skills.

The ceremony was presided over by Kushil Gunasekera, with special guest Dr. Elizabeth J. Harris, who has been in Sri Lanka for many years, carrying out research into Buddhism. She had come to the village to find out how Buddhism impacts on the Foundation of Goodness' work and we were very pleased that she was able to witness the work in action, during this celebratory occasion.

The ceremony started with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp and with the national anthem. Sampath Viraj, Manager of the Seenigama operation, gave a welcome speech that reminded the students of the great opportunities they have been given, to receive this top quality and innovative training free of cost, in a fashion that is very rare even in urban areas.

A Gratitude Speech was then given by a student who had completed all the computer courses offered at the computer centre. Courses delivered at the MCC Centre of Excellence Computer Training Centre, at Aviva Computer Room and at the Udumulla Village Heartbeat Computer classes include an Introduction to IT, Graphic Design, Internet & E- mail and Web Design.

The computer labs in all three locations have been set up with support from generous donors around the world, including the Marylebone Cricket Club's grand gesture  which helped us to construct the computer lab at the MCC Centre of Excellence, and Ranjan de Costa from the USA who provided the best of computer equipment whilst Highgate school in the UK initially funded the entire cost of operation and after two years we currently have Rythm Foundation providing sustainability funding. With the generosity of donors such as these, and Aviva who funded the development of the one-of-a-kind housing and community centre for those left homeless after the tsunami and the many donors who have supported the Village Heartbeat project, the Foundation of Goodness is able to provide these vital services for rural children and youth to excel.

Each sector within the Foundation of Goodness is coordinated by a village-based member of staff, overseen by a manager in the Colombo office. Fazana Ibrahim has recently become sector manager for IT Training in Colombo, and has already shown her flair for organising innovative events. She organised for four students to present their work at the graduation, showing off their talent, creativity and technical know-how. She says “This was my first computer graduation ceremony since I took over as the coordinator, and I thought of doing something different as Kushil always says that we have to do things differently.”
Four students showcased their project work which was completed as part of their individual syllabus. These included a very comprehensive website called Explore Hikkaduawa, providing all information on Hikkaduwa that a tourist needs, two sites on Sri Lanka , covering information on Sri Lanka that any person needs, with a particular emphasis on  tourism, both being unique and different to the other, and the final presentation on a rather unique interest in nocturnal creatures and their unusual habits.

During these student's presentations, each expressed their inner most feelings on the gratitude they felt towards Kushil's compassion to have these classes. Fazana describes one female student's thoughts as “expressed very sensitively, very deeply felt by all of our listeners. Tears came to my eyes and I know for sure it did the same to Kushil”.

Kushil diverted the usual ending to a very different style by requesting Manaram to inquire from random students on their thoughts on the courses they completed and what it did to change their lives. Manaram took the "mike" up to them and they expressed their inner deep thoughts. The group of students also told of the community service project that they carried out as a team, collecting money to buy and donate medicine to a local child who has been afflicted with illness.

It truly ended well. Kushil was very happy and gifted small booklets and leaflets on good conduct and moral behaviour to the students. Dr. E. J. Harris too, helped to gift these.
In his closing speech at this exciting event,  Kushil asked the question as to why we rarely take time to reflect on the good things that happen to us, like receiving free of cost educational opportunities such as this.  So often in life we forget to recognise the blessings we have which make us happier, it seeming much easier to complain bitterly when things go wrong, saying that I am at the receiving end and everything difficult happens to me. As he says “when good things happen nobody questions as to why it is happening to them whilst when things go wrong they are eternally grumbling highlighting how unfortunate they are. But we are so fortunate and always have so many reasons to be thankful, not least our ability to help others and to give back to our communities in whatever way we can. This is the ultimate blessing that should bring a smile to our faces because ultimately I do believe that

“The more you give the more will be yours to give”.

2009.08.10