This cause is very important to me because my entire family comes from Sri Lanka, making me feel very connected to the country and the people, even if I don't live there. I believe that all people deserve the opportunity to live the best life possible. 

Since I made money through my job as a ski instructor, I wanted to make sure that I used that money for something that I care about. As a result, I founded the Sithumina Foundation to help communities that need it. I hope to use the money I've earned, along with generous donations from others, to improve the lives of people in communities where resources are harder to obtain.

The island nation of Sri Lanka, which is where my family is originally from, is located in the Indian Ocean, south of India. It is a beautiful country, often called the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, with a rich history and culture. Tragically, from 1983 to 2009, the country was torn apart in a devastating civil war. Later on, in 2019, Sri Lanka faced the worst economic crisis in its history, from which it is still recovering. About 80% of Sri Lanka's population of 21.9 million lives in rural areas, where services are often limited or underfunded.

Ampara is a town in eastern Sri Lanka, about 225 miles away from the nation's capital in Colombo. Although there are beautiful sites to visit in Ampara, such as the Peace Pagoda shown in the image, that doesn't mean people have access to basic necessities. The Ampara General Hospital is in need of life-saving defibrillators (one defibrillator costs around $5000 in USD). The hospital is a medical hub for many rural communities far from big cities like Colombo, making it critical for the wellbeing of many. Because of its importance, it is critical that the hospital has the necessary facilities and equipment. Sithumina is working with the hospital, using the money we raise to buy defibrillators for it. I would greatly appreciate if you could support our cause so that more people in rural Sri Lanka can thrive.