Kushil’s Journal- 22 August 2010

I have read recently that those who are charitable do not to get much rest. Well, this explains why my second update for the year has taken so long, but at least one more would be better than just the one currently on the website.
I have had to engage in so many different areas of activity, as is the case always in pursuit of wanting to elevate the standards of the disadvantaged rural communities, with a heart full of compassion knowing the difficulties encountered in going forward.
If you were to look at our previous home page stories, the list is endless by way of a weekly update not forgetting the main highlight of all the events being the focus to replicate the rural community model in Seenigama and its holistic approach in Mankulam North of Sri Lanka in the form of a learning and empowerment institute another landmark project underway, the details of which can be ascertained by the link given below.
 http://www.unconditionalcompassion.org/m-sectors_north.php

H.E.  the President most kindly gifted 50 acres of land in Mankulam in aid if this project especially at the request of the legendary cricketer Murali at his request as a special tribute for his phenomenal achievements as a champion cricketer and humanitarian. We have been busy firstly establishing an office in the same premises of the Foundation of Goodness to address project management of this gigantic initiative and special reference must be given to young Architect, Kim Wright from the UK who volunteered her time to make this beautiful concept emerge along with Quen in concluding the final proposal and relevant material on the website. Murali and I are keen to add a housing complex to the existing plans and hope our attempt in building shelter for the displaced families would be the same as we did post-Tsunami in the Seenigama region.
I am ever grateful to the most benevolent donors who have supported us to sustain this one-of-a-kind rural community model which turned out to be a blessing from a tragic set-back that has now been hailed as the showpiece of all the Tsunami affected countries. This would have not have been possible if not for every donor who travelled the journey along with us in realising a dream that can boast of waves of success for helpless children & youth from primitive communities. They have all cared to make that difference in paving the way for an illuminated future.

By creating an infrastructure with 30 sectors in operation, kindness has multiplied in numerous ways opening the doors of many hearts to expand on the work we do by raising the bar particularly with the involvement of specialised volunteers’ worldwide adding value.  In this context, special mention of Quen Geuter and her admirable work must be highlighted for the manner in which she dedicated her effort to promote our cause which gained remarkable results during her stint of two years.  We are sad to see her leave being an integral part of our team immersed with boundless compassion and the ability to showcase our model operation, plus develop many strategies for greater management productivity. We wish her all that means happiness and success in her future.

I have also had to travel extensively this year in particular and a few more occasions in the ensuing months for donor meetings, speaking engagements, fund raising activities and in the immediate future to work with campus students in Florida, USA pertaining to the spirit of goodness, kindness, generosity, volunteerism etc. This is a part of our work programme which is very crucial to our sustenance and therefore helping to manage the work we have undertaken in the most effective ways, having developed projects based on empowerment giving opportunities for rural villagers to make better progress.

Outstanding achievements of rural children and youth have been exceptional given the facilities and it is our aim to produce national level representation from different sports which has already been evident from their performances and really heartening to note, as per our training, skills development and setting goals for such aspirations. One of the criteria in providing free of cost learning is to ensure that the participants engage in community aid work beneficial not only to themselves but to the community at large.  It is also our intention to inculcate the spirit of goodness and kindness in young children to become meaningful citizens of the nation. This is an important aspect of our work ethics.

Community aid tourism is another sector which is fast growing as per the many overseas visitors we have had in groups visiting the village, serving a range of services applicable to our holistic model and really interesting to collaborate with a variety of activities that brings fruitful results to recipients and equally rewarding satisfaction and contentment to those who care engaging in this field of work. On the same basis we are blessed to have had overseas cricket teams visiting to play cricket with our regional village schools cricket teams and at the same time performing community aid work as well as providing much needed assistance to these less fortunate cricketers.

Whilst you will be able to learn of the many events that have taken place so far this year by visiting our website previously featured home page stories and perceive the diverse ongoing action to comprehend the scale of our operation, the biggest challenge will be to ensure the sustainability into the future unlike most Tsunami –oriented projects now in neglect.
At the end it is all about making an impact for the betterment of rural communities bridging the gap between the urban and rural sectors through productive activities.

“If you can’t endure the bad,
you can’t live to see the good”

Previous Updates from Kushil;