The Foundation of Goodness is a holistic rural development model that seeks to bridge the urban-rural divide in Sri Lanka via 10 empowerment divisions across 850+ villages island-wide, and reached over 135,000+ beneficiaries in 2023 alone by way of 20 Empowerment Centres, free of cost.
Opening of the 9th Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Plant in Tharmapuram, Kilinochchi
July Graduations of the FoG MCC Centre of Excellence
July 17, 2019
Has your brand found its true purpose?
July 31, 2019
Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology or CKDu is a serious public health problem in Sri Lanka. It appears to disproportionately affect poor, rural male farmers in hot climates. Despite more than 20 years of research in Sri Lanka and globally, the problem of CKDu is yet, not clearly understood.
CKDu is defined as a form of chronic tubule-interstitial disease that involves progressive kidney damage in the absence of recognizable causes of renal disease such as diabetes mellitus, chronic or severe hypertension, snake bite, glomerulonephritis (acute inflammation of kidneys) or urological diseases (kidney stones, urinary tract infections etc.) in conjunction with a normal glycated hemoglobin level (HbA1C) and an untreated blood pressure value of < 160/90 or a blood pressure value of <140/90 controlled by up to two antihypertensive medications. (Dr Hashitha Fernando, 2018)
The problem is further exacerbated by the lack of reliable treatment methods. One of the best approaches to prevention comes from drinking clean water. Therefore communities that suffer from this silent killer, are in dire need of water purification technology and resources that reduces the risk of CKDu
To achieve this the Foundation of Goodness has also developed Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Plants in rural farming communities afflicted with severely contaminated water sources. Currently we have established RO plants in the following areas:
- Unchilakaddy (Vavuniya District)
- Alapathgama (Anuradhapura District)
- Mihintale (Anuradhapura District)
- Dehiattakandiya (Ampara District)
- Mullekumbura (Moneragala District)
- Galnewa (Anuradhapura District)
- Bakamuna (Polonnaruwa District)
- Habarawatta (Anuradhapura District)
We are happy to announce that our 9th Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Purification Plant was opened on the 16th of July in Tharmapuram, a town in Kilinochchi District, Northern Province, Sri Lanka. It was declared opened by the Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mr. David Holly and the Second Secretary, Development Cooperation Ms. Danielle Cashen together with Thisura Ramanayaka and Hasitha Jayasuriya from the Rotaract Club.
The 9th FoG Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Plant was made possible by Premier Sponsors: Australian Aid, Direct Aid Progrmme, and Co-Sponsors: Rotaract Club of Achievers Lanka Business School and Project Life, Mahela Jayawardena and the Canberra Schools Sports Tour.
The Tharmapuram RO Plant is accessed by the residents of 04 surrounding villages, enabling 180 families to obtain clean drinking water. At present there are 15 individuals who have been diagnosed with CKDu from these villages, our fervent hope is that through the establishment of this Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Plant, that number will not increase, fulfilling this rural community’s fundamental human right to clean drinking water.
References
- Dr Hashitha Fernando, 2018, CKDu the silent grim reaper, Daily Mirror, http://www.dailymirror.lk/article/CKDu-The-silent-grim-reaper-159486.html
- World Health Organisation & Presidential Task Force on the Prevention of Chronic Kidney Disease, 2016, International Expert Consultation on Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology, http://www.searo.who.int/srilanka/documents/report_international_expert_consultation_on_ckdu.pdf
