On the 25th of May 2025, the Foundation of Goodness proudly marked a historic milestone with the opening of our 21st Village Heartbeat Empowerment Centre (VHE) on Delft Island, the first Village Heartbeat Empowerment Centre to be established on an island in Sri Lanka. Located approximately 30 kilometres off the coast of Jaffna and accessible only by boat, this Centre symbolises the power of connection and care, bringing life-changing opportunities to one of the country’s most remote and underserved communities.
This landmark project was made possible through the extraordinary generosity of Dr. Kushwin Rajamani, who also visited the Centre together with Guest of Honour, Mr. Jekhan Aruliah for the ceremonial opening. A symbolic solar light distribution was carried out during the ceremony, lighting up not only homes but hopes for a better future.
Known locally as Neduntheevu, Delft Island is home to just over 4,000 residents who face ongoing challenges with accessing education, infrastructure and consistent development and growth opportunities. Although a free Navy-operated boat connects the island with the mainland, there are many logistical hurdles in commuting to and from this island. Despite these challenges, the newly inaugurated Centre has already registered 194 students, with 730 course beneficiaries across 14 villages and 6 schools. It is also home to the only Sinhala language class available on the entire island.
The Delft VHE Centre offers a wide range of free courses and initiatives, including:
- Computer Training
- English Language
- Sinhala Language
- Mathematics
- Science
- Traditional Sri Lankan Dancing
- Beauty Culture
- Dressmaking
- Children’s Good Values Initiative
- Good Care for Elders
We are also delighted to share that the instructor for the beauty culture and dressmaking courses is herself a graduate of our Mathagal Village Heartbeat Empowerment Centre, a beautiful example of how empowerment multiplies.
The Centre is also looking to expand further with additional programmes such as:
- Primary Education
- STEAM Education
- Planetary Health Education
- Goodness Agriculture Initiative
- Sports Training (including weekly athletic coaching and table tennis)
In fact, the weekly athletics coaching camp, which will commence soon led by a coach travelling from Jaffna is a testament to the talent identified among the students. Meanwhile, the students’ passion and aptitude for dance were showcased through an energetic group performance at the opening ceremony, choreographed in just one day by our skilled dance master who was able to guide his students at St. John’s College to perform and compete at the National Level.
A Beacon of Hope
Each Village Heartbeat Empowerment Centre is designed to bridge the urban-rural divide, offering access to education, skills development and values-based training. Beyond academics, the Centres serve as safe spaces for sports, the arts, women’s empowerment programmes, practical hands-on STEAM education, planetary health and environmental awareness building programmes and values development, all nurturing confidence, building community and realising hidden potential and talents.
This is our 5th Village Heartbeat Empowerment Centre in the North out of 21 island-wide. We are truly proud to be a part of such a reconciliation initiative which has been developed unconditionally.
As we continue our mission to deliver equitable opportunities across Sri Lanka, the Delft Village Heartbeat Empowerment Centre stands as a powerful reminder: no community is too remote and no dream is out of reach when people choose to care.
Thank you, Dr. Rajamani, for believing in the power of opportunity and for investing in the potential of Delft Island. Because of you, dreams now have a place to grow.
