The ‘My Wish Foundation’ was launched on 03rd of August 2009 at Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka as the sister organisation of the recently established UK charity ‘My Wish’.
Attending the launch were the first lady Mrs Shiranthi Rajapakse, who was the Chief Guest of the evening and the Secretary of Health and Nutrition, Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage, who are both honorary patrons of ‘My Wish Foundation’.
The aim of ‘My Wish Foundation’ is to grant a wish to the terminally ill children who are wasting away in our hospitals. These children and their families are suffering substantial emotional and often financial hardship. ‘My wish Foundation’ believes that it is the social responsibility of the citizens of Sri Lanka to develop a better care package for these very sick children and their vulnerable families. Therefore, ‘My Wish Foundation’ aims to provide continuous and comprehensive help to these children and their families.
The Founder and President of the ‘My Wish Foundation’, Mrs. Nelum Arachchige, delivered the welcome speech and explained the aims of Foundation to a large audience who included religious leaders of various denominations, Government ministers, Representative from the Scottish government, Medical personnel, local and international Celebrities and Philanthropists.
The Patron of ‘My Wish Foundation’, Dr. Kahandaliyanage, addressed the audience and highlighted the great need for such a charitable organisation in Sri Lanka and the positive benefit it would make in the community.
All guests were introduced to three brave children who are terminally ill patients of The Cancer Institute of Maharagama, Sri Lanka who highlighted the desperate needs of terminally ill children and their families. These three children touched the hearts of every person who attended the launch.
These children were honoured as the special guests of the evening by lighting the traditional oil lamp and receiving special gifts and flowers from the First Lady Mrs Shiranthi Rajapakse and Mrs Irnganie de Silva, wife of Health Minister Mr. Nimal Siripala De Silva. The first lady also distributed money to the mothers of these three very sick children to be used for the children’s medication and for the families travel expenses.
Saheli Gamage, who is an up and coming singing star, joined the Children from Budawatte Dancing Academy to entertain the audience for the evening.
One of the children, Tharuni Nimanthika age seven who was suffering from Brain Cancer was selected as the first child to receive the first wish from the ‘My Wish Foundation’. A very simple wish to go to the zoo, a place she had never been before.
Further aims of the ‘My Wish Foundation’ were also discussed that night, which include provision of financial support for blood tests, medicines and basic educational needs. It will also provide essential clothing, food and cover some travel costs for the parents who are facing substantial financial hardship.
Eventually the Foundation aims to provide the hospital with specialized equipments such as hoists and wheel chairs. It also hopes to build a multi-sensory room which provides stimulation and relaxation for the children.
The ‘My Wish Foundation’ aims to train volunteers to become counsellors, play therapists and to provide basic education. This will provide the mothers with some valuable time to use the facilities of the proposed My Wish Respite Care Centre and to have a much needed rest.
Attending the launch were the first lady Mrs Shiranthi Rajapakse, who was the Chief Guest of the evening and the Secretary of Health and Nutrition, Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage, who are both honorary patrons of ‘My Wish Foundation’.
The aim of ‘My Wish Foundation’ is to grant a wish to the terminally ill children who are wasting away in our hospitals. These children and their families are suffering substantial emotional and often financial hardship. ‘My wish Foundation’ believes that it is the social responsibility of the citizens of Sri Lanka to develop a better care package for these very sick children and their vulnerable families. Therefore, ‘My Wish Foundation’ aims to provide continuous and comprehensive help to these children and their families.
The Founder and President of the ‘My Wish Foundation’, Mrs. Nelum Arachchige, delivered the welcome speech and explained the aims of Foundation to a large audience who included religious leaders of various denominations, Government ministers, Representative from the Scottish government, Medical personnel, local and international Celebrities and Philanthropists.
The Patron of ‘My Wish Foundation’, Dr. Kahandaliyanage, addressed the audience and highlighted the great need for such a charitable organisation in Sri Lanka and the positive benefit it would make in the community.
All guests were introduced to three brave children who are terminally ill patients of The Cancer Institute of Maharagama, Sri Lanka who highlighted the desperate needs of terminally ill children and their families. These three children touched the hearts of every person who attended the launch.
These children were honoured as the special guests of the evening by lighting the traditional oil lamp and receiving special gifts and flowers from the First Lady Mrs Shiranthi Rajapakse and Mrs Irnganie de Silva, wife of Health Minister Mr. Nimal Siripala De Silva. The first lady also distributed money to the mothers of these three very sick children to be used for the children’s medication and for the families travel expenses.
Saheli Gamage, who is an up and coming singing star, joined the Children from Budawatte Dancing Academy to entertain the audience for the evening.
One of the children, Tharuni Nimanthika age seven who was suffering from Brain Cancer was selected as the first child to receive the first wish from the ‘My Wish Foundation’. A very simple wish to go to the zoo, a place she had never been before.
Further aims of the ‘My Wish Foundation’ were also discussed that night, which include provision of financial support for blood tests, medicines and basic educational needs. It will also provide essential clothing, food and cover some travel costs for the parents who are facing substantial financial hardship.
Eventually the Foundation aims to provide the hospital with specialized equipments such as hoists and wheel chairs. It also hopes to build a multi-sensory room which provides stimulation and relaxation for the children.
The ‘My Wish Foundation’ aims to train volunteers to become counsellors, play therapists and to provide basic education. This will provide the mothers with some valuable time to use the facilities of the proposed My Wish Respite Care Centre and to have a much needed rest.
great work! well done!
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