One requires a great deal of class and finesse, to play a coveted straight drive. One such as the star batsman, former captain and patron of the Foundation of Goodness, Kumar Sangakkara, does it with relative ease. Back where he belongs – at the top of the Test batsman rankings, Sangakkara is putting more promise and purpose to his batting as this time it’s not just about national pride, it’s about helping out our children in need.
Smiles will blossom across the faces of the kids up north, the next time the leather strikes Sanga’s sweet willow, as every run would contribute to Sanga’s ‘Bikes for Life’ campaign. The intention of the project is to provide 300 bicycles to students longing for education in Kilinochchi, Mankulam and Mullaitivu. The bicycle, being their sole form of transportation, is symbolic as a tour up North would attest to the sight of bountiful bicycle laden individuals, young and old alike making there way through the streets.
Sometimes though, the lack of a bicycles becomes the only barrier between these children and their education. Charlie Austin, Manager to Sangakkara speaking to the Mirror explains how the campaign came into being. It was on a trip facilitated by the Foundation of Goodness to Mankulam that the undying necessity for bicycles became clear to the patrons. Murali and Kushil Gunasekera took part in this journey, and related what they saw to Sanga, to which he replied with “Hey, why don’t we actually take this up as a campaign.”
The cost of one bicycle would sum up to US$100 (Approx. 10,800 LKR), but there’s no cost to the satisfaction. “Every little donation will play a big part in changing a life for the better,” Charlie adds. Charlie tells us that there was one such visit to the affected areas last month, where many schools were visited and cricket instilled. “It was quite emotional”, he says taking a look back at the journey. “The amount of potential these kids had to offer was astounding, the enthusiasm was immense”. Charlie explains that under watchful eyes these kids could achieve great feats, commending the work already done by the Board’s district coaches.
Little gestures are what makes a difference, giving back to society is not about wielding plentiful of green notes. It’s about the things that make a difference. “A coconut matting provided to an underprivileged college cricket team, budding with potential would do wonders,” says Charlie “Such is the concept of providing bikes for these kids in need”
Teaming up with the ‘One World Community’ – a passionate youth volunteer force branched from the Sri Lanka Model United Nations 2011, a mega Carnival named “Light Up” is on the cards this December, in aid of raising funds for the ‘Bikes for Life’ initiative. Duvindi Illankoon, the young and energetic volunteer who co-founded the One World movement, along with Amalini De Sayrah tells us that the Sanga’s ‘Bikes for Life’ instantly appealed to them.
“This carnival is in aid of kids who walk miles to school every single day, come rain or sunshine, and for the kids who don’t go because it’s physically impossible for them to walk that far”. Sanga will be the main promoter of the carnival and all funds will be donated to the ‘Bikes for Life’ campaign.
You can chip in by visiting www.kumarsangakkara.lk, or www.unconditionalcompassion.org and following the ‘Bikes for Life’ tab. |
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