~ The Trail ~
-FoG’s Commitment Towards Cancer Patients-

Conceptualized as ‘A journey by the living; for life!’, The Trail was a journey that commenced on the 01st of July 2011 from Dondra, the Southernmost point in Sri Lanka. The trail was the brain-child of Sarinda Unamboowe, CEO MAS Linea Aqua, who made a promise to himself to walk the length of the country when the Sri Lanka’s ethnic conflict came to an end to mark his commitment to peace. This concept was jointly embraced by Nathan Sivaganananthan, CEO MAS Intimates – MAS Design and the Director of Colors of Courage Trust who readily converted Sarinda’s promise in to a unique fundraising initiative that will help people combat cancer; the disease that took his sister’s life.

Thus, ‘The Trail’ came in to light as a journey of 27 days, spanning over 670 kilometers in hopes of raising 2 million US Dollars towards building a Pediatric Cancer Ward in the Jaffna General Hospital. This initiative is a timely need in our country, as the population growth nears 20 million mark yet we operate with a single Cancer Hospital in the country located in Colombo. This means that patients from across the country make their way, all the way to Colombo for treatments. With a Cancer ward established at the Jaffna General Hospital, children from North, North Central and Eastern provinces can get treatments in Jaffna without having to make a strenuous journey to Colombo.

Having recognized the importance of this noble cause, the Foundation of Goodness extended itself in actions and in spirit for this endeavor. In honor of the cause, the Foundation of Goodness members joined the trail at two legs; on the 4th day at Seenigama and on the 22nd day of the walk from Mankulam.

On day 04 of the Trail, Founder/Chief Trustee of the Foundation of Goodness, Kushil Gunasekera, Head of Sports Development, Anura De Silva and Manager  Planning and Management for MCC Center of Excellence, Fazana Ibrahim together with Foundation of Goodness staff members set out on the trail from Seenigama to reach Kosgoda, completing a 25.2 Kilometers by foot.

When the trail reached Mankulam on the 22nd of July, children of the Mankulam Sports Academy joined the walk in support of the cause. Dressed up in the official sports training kits provided by the Mankulam Sports Academy, over 40 students currently schooling at Mankulam Maha Vidyalaya enthusiastically joined the walk along with their school Principal, P. Ravindra Nathan and the school’s Physical Training Coach Anita. To think that, 2 years ago these children were helpless victims of the war and by today, they are ready to walk in advocacy for a noble cause to improve the lives of cancer patients, itself, is a reason to rejoice in contentment.

The trail from Mankulam to Kilinochchi was also joined by Foundation of Goodness Colombo staff members: Manager – Mankulam Development Plans and Management, Dilani Weerasuriya; Architect - Design and Project Management - North Learning and Empowerment Institute, Kim Wright and Manager - Planning and Management for MCC Center of Excellence, Fazana Ibrahim.

With commitment to bridge the gap that exist between rural and urban communities, the Foundation of Goodness is always ready to extend their support over and beyond in every possible way to make life better for citizens of war-wrecked Sri Lanka. For that matter, The Trail, just like for millions of contributors and supporters, for us at the Foundation of Goodness, was one-of-a-kind historical event.  With bigger plans in store for Mankulam Learning and Empowerment Institute, it is Foundation of Goodness’ ultimate dream that Northern Province of Sri Lanka will blossom in prosperity and development, in the same spirit that, Colombo has.

15.08.2011

“Life Does Not Get Better By Chance, It Gets Better By Change.”