Welcome to KURUPPUKANDA,

After the Tsunami of December 2004 (click for background story) devastated the coasts of Sri Lanka, numerous local and international individuals and groups joined to assist the people living in the destroyed areas to rebuild their lives. One of the areas that received, and continues to receive, assistance is the community of Godagama Kahawa about 95 kilometers from Colombo on the southwest coast near Hikkaduwa. Kuruppukanda is the old name of the hill in the center of Godagama on which sets the small village temple of Sri Wewekarama, the heart and spirit of life in the village.

A large number of individuals and groups, both local and international, came together to assist the people of Godagama-Kahawa in their need.

Some of the projects include: (click on links for photos, use Back to return to this page)

• over 100 homes built, rebuit or repaired by the Bellanwila Community Development Foundation (BCDF) through donations from around the world
• numerous other homes built by many organizations including the Colombo Lions Club and
• a school building donated by the Ruggero Mangoni family of Italy
• a Community Development Center and children’s playground donated by several individual and group sponsors from Colombo
• a water purification system
• a community water well and distribution system sponsored by the South-South Grants Facility of the UNDP

The BCDF of Bellanwila Rajamaha Vihara in Colombo, besides implementing the major home construction project mentioned above, continues to support village rehabilitation projects in several ways. Most recently they have:

• organized, with donations from the World Buddhist Sangha Council,  the construction of a residence for the monks who serve the daily  needs of the village
• lobbied the Provincial government to construct over 500 meters of concrete roadway through the village

My own involvement in the recovery began in association with the Buddhist Council of the Northwest of which I was the director at the time. Through the Council we were able to raise $35,000 in contributions for rebuilding homes.

My relationship with Sri Lanka began 1999 when I lived in Singapore and studied at the Singapore Buddhist Library under the instruction of Bhante Bellanwila Dhammaratana, a leading Buddhist monk from Sri Lanka.

After I retired from corporate life I made a 30 day tour of the historical Buddhist sights in Sri Lanka in 2003 during which time I met Bhante Dhammaratana’s brother, Bhante Wimalaratana at their home temple in Colombo.

When I became aware of the extent of the Tsunami, I felt compelled to do something for the people of Sri Lanka based on my previous association with them and their country. I was retired so I had the time, I had access to some resources, and I had relationships that would allow me to be effective. So I contacted Bhantes Dhammaratana and Wimalaratana, and the rest is described herein.

Since then, my wife and I have continued to be involved in a personal effort to continue the recovery process. We have been aided immeasurably by our friends in Singapore, the Tan family.

Our projects include:

• the purchase and distribution of 5 sewing machines to help the tailors of the village regain their livelihood
• the purchase and distribution of powdered milk products to the young children of the village for several months after the Tsunami
• ongoing payments for the salaries of 2 preschool teachers
• my visit to the village for 2 months in 2007 to teach basic English in order to improve employment opportunities
• my visit for 2 months in 2009 to teach basic computer skills and to establish a computer lab/communication center at the village temple

Some of you who have visited this site or read my email journals have asked if you can help.
Sandra and I can cover the ongoing costs of those projects that we have committed to, but there are many needs in the village.
If you feel you want to do something, write to me at robertsjohnj@gmail.com to discuss how you might help.