On 16th October 2009 the Youth Goodness Members from KPMG-LOLC Village, Werallana, assisted by Sujeewa and Fazana from the Foundation of Goodness, organised a blood donation camp to give rural villagers the opportunity to give blood and save lives.

The event was held at the Seenigama Diving & Training Centre, which is an easily accessible location on the Galle Rd.  Karapitiya Hospital Blood Bank ran the collection, and collected 60 pints of blood from Foundation of Goodness staff, villagers and walkers-by. They ran the campaign from 8.30am to 3pm and report that the 60 pints will be used for emergencies and are enough for one year.

Potential donors were carefully screened before being allowed to give their blood. It is thought that if all potential donors had been able to give blood, they could have collected about 100 pints.

While the nurses were busy downstairs, the Youth Members provided refreshments and sweet tea for the donors.

The Youth Goodness Members are a group of young people who came together to make their community a better place for everyone to live. Showing initiative, organisational skills, team work and compassion, their work started on the 7th March when 12 young men got together to do some good for their community. By June the group had grown to include 26 young men and women from the village, ranging from age 15 to 24yrs.

Kushil is pleased to see the rural youth taking responsibility for their communities and showing such compassion for the wellbeing of others. “This is a great initiative and I hope it will inspire others to also think about what they can do to help people in desperate need. These young people are an example to us all”.

“Don't say that you want to give, but go ahead and give! You'll never catch up with a mere hope.” (Goethe)

2009.11.09