Category Archives: welfare through sport
Harry Solomons and Friends renew Aid and Fellowship with FOG at Seenigama
ALSO SEE iimages of Michael Clarke’s visit to FOG at http://www.flickr.com/photos/thuppahi/6115324312/in/photostream/
Shelley Wickremasinghe: A Giant of a Man
Mahinda Wijesinghe
The passing away of 86-year old Shelley Wickremasinghe on 11 August 2011 was yet another instance of the law of the world in operation, that “all compounded phenomena are subject to change.” Or expressed in lay terms: a mighty oak had fallen. Shelley was known to me for over 40 years and was always amazed at his composure when faced with the many vicissitudes he faced in life – and solved. Attempting to pay a deserving tribute to a multi-faceted personality who reached the zenith of all his worldly pursuits is a well-nigh insurmountable task. Reminds me of the Jataka Story when a squirrel strained to empty the mighty ocean with its little tail.
As we all know, he was an outstanding and a pioneering engineer of repute, a loving husband, a caring father and was a tower of strength not only to his own siblings but also to his in-laws, and the grandchildren whom he simply adored. Indeed, just a couple of days before his demise, and despite his failing health, the Wickremasinghe godfather had taken all of them out for dinner – stating that “this time it is going to be my treat.” However, I hope the family would not take much offence when I say that his devotion and services to Bloomfield came a fairly close second to his family duties and obligations. Remember, he served the club as President during the many turbulent years so ably for over 25 years, probably a record without parallel.
Murali and Kushil raise Monies for Mankulam Venture in Los Angeles
Nandasena Jasentuliyana
It takes an Organizing Committee Chairman like Mohan Chandramohan, the successful businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, to make a fundraiser, not only classy and enjoyable, but to raise large sums of money for a good cause.
Pic of Chandramohan, Murali and Kushil
Well known champion fast bowler of Sri Lankan and World Cricket, Murali is not only the Manager of the Foundation of Goodness in Sri Lanka, but he is a spokesman who has a passion for this organization which was started in Seenigama (near Hikkaduwa) in 1999 by Kushil Gunasekera who is the Founder. The Foundation of Goodness is aptly named, and as Murali puts it, “Be Good, Do Good”. Their trip toLos Angeleswas organized by Mohan through his friendship with Ajith “Ando” Dias. The fundraiser was sponsored by the Sri Lanka America Association of Southern California and the Sri Lanka Foundation. There were also many others in the Committee who helped make this event a success.
The Foundation of Goodness is dedicated to taking care of the needs of the underprivileged, with health, well being, community development, sports development, housing and education as some of their aims. Murali, as Manager and spokesman, gives inspiration to others to do what they can to help brighten the lives of those who would otherwise be forgotten. The President ofSri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa generously allocated 50 acres in Mankulam for this project which will help those in the North and East of Sri Lanka. Continue reading
Kushil and Murali reach out for FOG in Los Angeles
There was fund raising event in LOS ANGELES on the 13th August for FOG organised by a cross-ethnic body of Sri Lankans with Murali and Kushil as stars; and I received this note from Naj Nagendran, one of the chief organisers:
Pic of Kushil and MuralI with American college students and Helen Brohier ( FoG, pre-school head) who volunteered at the event
“Michael, The event was successful – 530 attended. Aravinda De Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya joined Murali in LA. Kushil was as usual impressive in showcasing what has been achieved in Seenigama and the progress so far in the Mankulam project. His appeals for funds was well received and excess of $ 200,000 in donations is expected. Murali was very passionate in his appeal for the Northern project
They are heading to San Fransisco for similar fundraising events.'” NAGE
Pic of Kushil with Carl Strecker ( movie producer) who has visited Seenigama post tsunami with medical team and producer of latest FoG video
This video is a must see … and must circulate to friends who are not buried in the caverns of bitterness and anger that disable them fromseeing any progress in sri Lanka. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egUNMCg-izM&feature=related
Do also visit the FOG sie for reports on what is being done, step by step, at Mankulam. SEE http://foundationofgoodness.org/m-sectors_north.php. I have jsut got a report from Anura de Silva re the Third Training Camp at Mankulam Maha Vidyalayam –repeat vidyalayam — where training was provided for 12 girls in netball, 22 and 15 boys in cricket and volleyball respectively.
The following are the web references for the Mankulam reports/pics.
*http://www.unconditionalcompassion.org/sub/20110712_2ndCoaching.php
* http://www.unconditionalcompassion.org/sub/201100614_fristever.php
FOG reaches out to schoolchildren at Mankulam: sports training camp
A Report from Anura de Silva, who directs this type of work at Seenigama, dated 6 June 2011
Photo collage of the 1st Sports Coaching Camp held at Mankulam Maha Vidyalaya Grounds in Mankulam from 02-05 June’ 2011.
As decided cricket, volleyball and netball were the sports that were selected for this initial training camp and the Foundation Coaches – Anjula Mendis/ assisted by Rod McCabe (cricket), Jayan Manoj (volleyball) and Nadeeka Dilrukshi (netball) conducted the sessions.
35 boys attended the cricket, 30 (15 girls/15 boys) the volleyball and 20 (girls) the netball clinics respectively. All the students were from Mankulam Maha Vidyalaya and the age group was 10-18 years.
Training was conducted on the following lines.
a). Netball : 1. Running drills and continue runs
2. Moving practice
3. Ball handling
4. Developing skills
5. Shooting and three feet practice
6. Games
7. Warm up, warm down and stretching Continue reading
Filed under performance, welfare through sport
FOG takes its first steps in community work and reconciliation at Mankulam
While the fifty acre site secured by Muralitharan from the President is being cleared and prepared, and as building work will take quite soem time to mature, the Foundation of Goodness has been establishing rapport by welfare handouts of the type it began with at Seenigama in the south west — though adjusting their goods to local circumstances ( for e.g. bicycles feature prominently). I have only deployed one or two photographs from the several provided in the FOG site. More details for each month can be garnered from their site, namely, http://www.unconditionalcompassion.org/sub/images/NEP-Journey-May.pdf
Michael Roberts
School kits donated in January
bicycles in February
more school kits in April
bicycles in May
Filed under cricket and life, unusual people, welfare through sport