Missy Franklin visits Tsunami hit areas in Sri Lanka

Part of a Laureus project, Missy visited Seenigama

American swimming sensation and multiple Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin has been spending time in Sri Lanka over the last week or so with children whose families were affected by the Tsunami almost a decade ago.

Part of the Laureus Foundation of Goodness Project that has been helping victims of the aforementioned disaster rebuild their lives through sports, Franklin’s visit to the island nation included a stopover at the small village of Seenigama.

Set up there is ‘The Foundation of Goodness’, an establishment set up by Kushil Gunasekera in 1999, to provide essential services to this southern Sri Lankan village and aid the development the local community. The objectives of the organisation changed dramatically following the Tsunami when, with the support of Laureus, it developed the Seenigama Sport for Life Project to help rebuild the community.

Today, more than a decade in to its operations, the focus is on a long-term commitment to community development and social change through sport. Quite remarkably, they work with over 1,400 young people and combine sports training in cricket, volleyball, swimming, netball and badminton with programmes that build life-skills such as leadership, confidence and communication.

After spending a buoyant time in pool with the kids, Franklin talked to the media representatives present there, “I’ve been so inspired by the people I’ve met and the things I’ve seen here. The Foundation of Goodness is a true embodiment of the Laureus message that sport has the power to change the world.”

“I’ve grown up knowing the importance of hard work and resilience in preparing to compete at the highest level in sport, but the resilience of these people, who suffered such loss and grief after the devastating Tsunami in 2004 is so inspirational for me. I won’t forget the smiling faces of the young children here.”

Missy and Austin Phillips even indulged in a game of cricket

Accompanying the champion swimmer, who also happens to be studying currently at University of California, Berkeley were fellow US Swimming teammate Austin Phillips. Also, the two of them played a game of cricket with the kids present.

Talking about her visit, Foundation of Goodness founder Kushil Gunasekera seemed elated: “Its unimaginable to even think that such a superstar would visit us.

We wish to acknowledge the exceptional gesture on the part of Missy, knowing very well her busy schedule and the training ahead of the 2016 Olympics for which we salute in admiration.”The adulation aside the kids seemed the most inspired, and as Gunasekera later confessed, a lot of them harbor dreams of becoming Olympic champion, much like the bubbly 20 year old who just spent a day with them.