In August the Foundation of Goodness was overwhelmed to receive a very generous donation of kits and equipment from Speedo International Ltd for the Seenigama Swimming Squad and rural swimmers.

Speedo first got to know about the work of the Foundation of Goodness and the Seenigama Sports Academy through Australian volunteers and fitness experts Nick and Dave, who spent time in the village at the beginning the year. Their hard work and initiative paved the way for a successful Breakfast for Little Champions programme to tackle malnutrition of sports children, and has now born fruit again for the Seenigama Swimming Squad through the generous response of Speedo marketing manager Miles Rose.

Nick and Dave teach pre-school children to swim

The donation included swim suits, kick boards, swim caps, jackets and t-shirts. These were given to the Seenigama Swimming Squad at a special presentation by Kushil Gunasekera, Founder and Trustee of the Foundation of Goodness, supported by Anura, Sports Director and the Seenigama Sports Academy staff, including Janakala and Yamuna, swimming coaches.

The presentations were made at the Bryan Adams Swimming Complex, which includes a beautiful 25m pool, kiddies pool and changing facilities. This is a very unusual facility for a rural village that was gifted by the popular artist Bryan Adams, who was so moved by compassion to help those who had suffered from the tsunami that he donated this pool, which was completed and opened in August 2007. The pool provides opportunities for over 300 children and youth from the area to gain swimming skills and to develop to a very high level so that they can compete at local, regional and international levels as well as achieving personal goals and learning how to stay safe in the water.

Past volunteers from Australia, Nick and Dave, on hearing of the Speedo donation, reflected on their personal experience of the children and their commitment to their sport. Dave commented that “having seen first hand the enthusiasm and belief all the swimmers display in both training and regular competitions, I can well imagine the joy and determination to succeed that this generous donations will bring to each and every aspiring swim star.”

Nick added that “I hope all the kids find the equipment both helpful and effective in their future swimming, and also to the Foundation, which is only an aid to their always unbelievable work.”



One of the girls who is training with the Seenigama Swimming Squad won the 6 mile sea swim recently Island-wide and has now also been selected to represent Sri Lanka in Malaysia next month in 03 events is a phenomenal achievement. She comes from a very humble background, yet the ability to work really hard in succeeding is most amazing. She was also full of smiles and overjoyed with the new acquisition of Speedo trendy swimming gear.
Kushil commented that “The rural swimmers are absolutely over the moon with this donation from Speedo. These children and youth have done pretty well and will no doubt be inspired further by the knowledge that such a prestigious brand as Speedo has recognised their achievements and wishes them well. This is very great gesture from Speedo and we thank them immensely for this  very supportive and thoughtful undertaking. It is through giving the rural children and youth access to facilities that they need and then encouraging them to recognise and strive towards their personal goals and dreams for their future that we can uplift the lives of those who miss out on the benefits that are more likely to be available in the cities, for a bright future.”

“Most of us, swimming against the tides of trouble, need only a bit of praise or encouragement - and we will make the goal.”  ~Jerome Fleishman

2009.09.14