Tsunami Aid: Still a work in progress

The young girl pictured to the left is Tarika. She, like so many children in Sri Lanka, lost schoolmates and family when the tsunami hit. Her vivacious smile of hope captivated me and encouraged me to select her as "Honorary Chairman" of the Friends of Foster Sri Lanka Encouragement Efforts.

My wife and I became aware of Galle, Sri Lanka specifically while welcoming a new granddaughter, Aleena, into the world just a few days after the tsunami struck. Aleena's mother, Imla, is originally from Galle, and her family lost many relatives on December 26, 2004.

Our Foundation (The Lynn and Foster Friess Family Foundation) started the Sri Lanka Encouragement Fund working under the name 'Friends of Foster.' We made a commitment to match all donations up to $250,000 to a maximum of $2.5 million to help begin with the recovery of the city of Galle, as well as other areas in need in the country. Even after three years, there is still much more needed to rebuild the lives of our brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka.

I traveled to Galle in February 2005 and continue to work with several local grassroots organizations in Sri Lanka.

The benefit of Friends of Foster is that we are a Private Sector Solution in Philanthropy. Decisions are made quickly, funds are released carefully, and work is accomplished without endless meetings, discussions and red tape. The people in need are benefiting, which is the ultimate goal.