Foundation and Villagers Celebrate Completion of First Sponsored House

In a festive ceremony, complete with a parade of villagers, sponsors and traditional dancers, along with a blessing by village monks, and the presence of cricket superstar Muttiah Muralidaran (Murali), the entire village of Seenigama celebrated March 13th the completion of the first house built through relief efforts of the Foundation of Goodness and ably supported by the Muralidaran, Vass, Gunasekera foundation.

The two-bedroom; four room house built by Foundation contractors and sponsored by Anil Cooke from the Rotary Club of Colombo Reconnections was gifted to T.H. Nandanwathi and her four children. The house, designed by renowned Colombo-based architect Navin Gooneratne, was outfitted with basic household items provided by a private donor through the Foundation.

In early February, the Seenigama Village Committee agreed that Nandanwathi, widowed only three weeks before the tsunami, along with her sons Chamindra Kumar, 15; Duminda, 13; Ravindra Kumar, 10; and daughter, Duleeka Kumary, 8, should receive the first Foundation house.

After all that happened last year, Nandanwathi's first thoughts were "no husband, no house, how can I carry on and then this" as she looks across at her new home.

The 550 sq-ft. house is almost four times the size of the tiny space Nandanwathi and her family called home prior to the tsunami. That house and all their belongings were washed away, leaving absolutely nothing but the concrete foundation.

The site of the new house adjoins that of the original, but was only possible through the generosity of three other village families who co-owned the land. They agreed to gift Nandanwathi the plot so she and her children wouldn't have to relocate, which, according to Kushil Gunasekera, founder of Foundation of Goodness, is quite a unique occurrence in a village.

"What we do for ourselves alone dies with us," Gunasekera said, "but what we do for others remains immortal."

Mr. R. Nithianandan, supply chain manager of LaFarge Mahaweli Cement, the world's largest cement factory, which is based in Sri Lanka , was present to witness this special occasion. Nithianandan confirmed the company's decision to provide required cement for each house totaling 100 houses in recognition of Murali's commitment towards enriching the quality of life of those affected by the tsunami.

Gunasekera expects that the Foundation will be able to turn over about 40 new houses per month.

The “Tsunami House” has been developed by:

HONORARY ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS,

1:2:4 DESIGNS LTD

42 DICKMAN'S ROAD,
COLOMBO- 05.
TEL :- 94 112 508217 or 94 115 537678
FAX :- 94 114 512462
E - MAIL :-124designs@sltnet.lk

Model of REHAB HOUSE

Estimated Cost of Rehab House