Our Salute to Australian Support

The Foundation of Goodness has been overwhelmed by support from Australian individuals, businesses, sports clubs, Councils, Governments and charitable organizations. We feel strongly linked with Australia and are deeply grateful for the kindness Australians have shown for our work and the welfare of the villagers who are suffering in the wake of the tsunami disaster.

Two of our major collaborators paid visits to Seenigama this month. The Foundation is currently in the planning phase for a major housing project which will be funded by the Victorian State Government for over 70 homes in Seenigama. We were privileged and delighted to host a visit from Hon. John Pandazopoulos MP Minister for major projects and tourism, State Government of Victoria.

Minister Pandazopoulos was accompainied by the Deputy Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Mr Matthew Hyndes and a number of other Australian High Commission Staff. The group were shown through the Foundation of Goodness secretariat, Computer Training Facility, Rainbow Paedatiric Clinic, Maternity Clinic, Library, English Classes, Sky Juice water purification plant, Handicrafts Centre and most importantly to the proposed land for the new houses. Minister Pandazopoulos was extremely impressed with the Foundation's action and achievements since the tsunami. The photo above is members of the Foundation of Goodness staff, Mr Matthew Hyndes (far left) and Mr John Pandazopoulos (middle) standing in front of some new homes built by the Foundation in Seenigama.

Just this week we also hosted a wonderful visit from Sri Lankan Hon. Consul to Western Australia, Mr Frank Crawley and Mr Percy Stanley, head of AusAID in Sri Lanka. These individuals were invited to inspect the 3 major projects being undertaken as part of Perth's adoption of Seenigama.

The first houses built with Perth funds are now well underway. In addition the upgrading of sports facilities at the Seenigama School, funded by the Western Australian Cricket Association is due to commence this week. The John Septimus School also continues to collaborate with the Seenigama School. The students at John Septimus School had made beautiful banners for the visit which were admired by all the kids in Seenigama. John Septimus Roe has also sent an extremely generous donation for the School. The most pressing needs will be prioritied with our Children's Committee and the Principal of the School. We were delighted to receive these honoured guests and look forward to continued prosperous relationships with these donors in the long term.

Just as much as the waves of water destroyed our village, the waves of compassion from world wide that followed even more strongly enabled us to re-model the village better than it ever was before.

Nothing multiplies as much as kindness.