Foundation for Lasting Relationship

If I ever won the lottery, my first thought would not be about luxury or travel, but about purpose. Wealth, to me, is meaningful only when it creates value in the lives of others. One dream that lives close to my heart is to build a small but elegant library for the under-privileged children of Dungalpitiya Government Junior School, where most students come from the humble fishing community.

After running around the world for many years in my career, I chose Dungalpitiya as the place to spend my retirement life. This village welcomed me with simplicity, warmth, and resilience. As I observed the children here, I saw bright minds but limited access to educational resources. Many of them grow up with big dreams but very few tools to reach them. That realization planted a powerful idea in my mind — if I had the means, I should help open doors for them through education.

A library is more than a building filled with books. It is a safe space for curiosity, imagination, and growth. It is where a child from a small fishing village can discover the world beyond the shore, learn new ideas, improve language skills, and develop confidence. I believe education gives children wings — wings to rise above poverty, circumstance, and fear. This belief comes from my own life experience, where learning shaped my journey and allowed me to move across countries and cultures.

If I won the lottery, I would design the library to be welcoming and inspiring — with storybooks, reference materials, digital learning tools, and a quiet environment where children feel valued. I would also encourage reading programs, mentoring, and community involvement so the library becomes a living center of hope, not just a room with shelves.

Winning the lottery would be a blessing, but using it to uplift young lives would be the real prize. If even one child from Dungalpitiya grows up confident, educated, and courageous because of that library, then my winnings would have found their true purpose.

P.S.

While winning the lottery remains a dream, building this library does not have to wait for chance. If this story reaches kind-hearted individuals or organizations, I warmly invite you to become part of this journey. A contribution as simple as USD 1,000 can help transform an empty space into a world of knowledge for these children. Instead of leaving this vision sleeping in hope, together we can surprise these young minds with opportunity. Your small gesture today can become a child’s lifelong turning point tomorrow. Let us replace luck with compassion and make this library a reality through shared generosity.

Saviour Shanthalal Hettiarachchi