“THE BEST WAY TO CHEER YOURSELF UP IS TO TRY TO CHEER SOMEBODY ELSE UP”

~ Mark Twain

Annual Educational Excursion is a much sought after event by the kids as well as the parents and teachers of “Lahiru” Pre-school in Seenigama. This year once again when the teachers asked the little ones where they would like to go in the two big buses? Many of them shouted “Teacher... we want to see elephant dance!!! We want to see the big monkey, “we want to eat ice cream”, some yelled!! “We want to play in the park”.... There was so much enthusiasm and happiness knowing that they will soon be taken on a long journey to have immense fun. Once again the Zoological Garden and the Vihara Mahadevi Park were of preference, thus arrangements got under way to make it happen. The date was fixed for the 20th of August though it was school vacation; it fitted in well with the parents too as they look forward to taking the kids on an outing during holidays.

The tour buses took off early morning from Seenigama, happy kids & parents singing, clapping hands cheerfully whilst the buses approached the temple to perform religious activities being the foremost of the day’s program adhering to the strict rules of the Foundation of Goodness.

Everybody was quite excited to reach the famous Vihara Mahadevi Park; they knew that a Pizza feast awaited them at the park. On hearing of the excursion, Kushil was very eager to do his best for the kids and wasted no time in contacting his good friend Mr. Harpo Gooneratne, the Managing Director of Harpo’s Cafes & Restaurants. Harpo’s instantaneous response was to provide the delicious Pizzas to the entire crowd plus drinks and chocolates in addition. Not only that, Harpo was keen in getting involved himself in this humanitarian act and wanted to come over to the Park when kids arrive there from Seenigama. What a wonderful & admirable gesture being the very busy person that he is!! Kushil who met up with the kids and the parents at the park treated all with ice cream whilst the staff of Harpo’s Cafes & Restaurants distributed the fabulously delicious Pizzas which for many, a first time experience as they have never eaten a pizza before. It was very touching when a parent (mother) volunteered to speak a few words on behalf of all, to thank for the wonderful gesture, trying to control her emotions said “our children has never eaten such tasty pizzas before”

The two buses proceeded to the Zoological Gardens where they spent the rest of the day having fun, certainly elephant dance was the highlight of the day.

Foundation of Goodness acknowledges with grateful thanks the kind gesture of Mr. Harpo Gunaratne and wishes him all that means happiness.
- Helen Brohier

“All the other pleasures of life seem to wear out,
but the pleasure of helping others in distress never does”

2010.08.30