A Czech Woman finds her Purpose in Sri Lanka

Dominika Voltrova (Left) from the Czech Republic first landed in Sri Lanka, she thought she would be staying for only two weeks. Today, one and a half years later, she still calls the southern coastal town of Ambalangoda her home

Voltrova volunteers at the Foundation of Goodness, a humanitarian organisation that supports underprivileged rural communities across Sri Lanka

Her primary role involves working with volunteers and visitors

The Foundation of Goodness operates from its flagship Centre of Excellence in Seenigama and has expanded to 21 centres island-wide

Voltrova is also actively involved in psychosocial care and elder welfare

For Voltrova the Foundation is a space where lives are transformed daily

When 31-year-old Dominika Voltrova from the Czech Republic first landed in Sri Lanka, she thought she would be staying for only two weeks. Today, one and a half years later, she still calls the southern coastal town of Ambalangoda her home - a place where her heart found meaning beyond career ambitions.

“I studied law back home and even received an offer to work at a law firm,” she recalls. “But when I came to Sri Lanka, I found the work I was doing here far more meaningful. I chose this life over a career in Europe because it gives me a sense of fulfillment that I could never find behind a desk.”

Voltrova volunteers at the Foundation of Goodness, a humanitarian organisation that supports underprivileged rural communities across Sri Lanka. The Foundation operates from its flagship Centre of Excellence in Seenigama and has expanded to 21 centres island-wide. Its programmes span 25 sectors, including women’s empowerment, education, vocational training, sports, IT, psychosocial care, and environmental conservation.

“What makes the Foundation special is that it doesn’t focus on just one cause,” Voltrova explains. “In Europe, most charity organisations choose one sector - like education or animal care. Here, we have everything from preschools and special needs education to feeding stray animals and teaching IT or housekeeping. Anyone who comes here can find something they truly enjoy and want to do,” she says. 

Her primary role involves working with volunteers and visitors, many of whom are Sri Lankan-origin individuals living overseas who return to reconnect with their roots and give back to local communities. “Before volunteers arrive, we talk to them about their interests - some want to help in preschools, some prefer teaching English, or helping in sports programmes,” she says. “We create separate timetables for each person, so both the volunteers and the students benefit equally,” she adds. 

But for Voltrova, it’s not just about the structured programmes - it’s also about the human connections and the small, moving moments that make each day special. She recalls a day at the special needs unit: “There was an Australian volunteer with a cat tattoo on her arm. One of the girls with autism noticed it and began petting and playing with the tattoo as if it were a real cat. She couldn’t speak, but that small gesture was so touching. These are the moments that make everything worthwhile.”

Voltrova is also actively involved in psychosocial care and elder welfare, two areas she feels are often overlooked in society. “We work on both mental health and medical aspects - offering art therapy, music therapy, and Alzheimer’s prevention. It’s important because the elderly deserve to feel valued and supported,” she says. 

All of the Foundation’s educational programmes are free of charge, and after six months of training, students take both theory and practical exams to earn a certificate. Many graduates have gone on to secure employment or start their own businesses. Some, like national cricketer Ramesh Mendis, first learned their skills through the Foundation’s sports academy.

For Voltrova, the Foundation is more than just a place to volunteer - it’s a space where lives are transformed daily. “Every month, around 2,000 students come through this one centre. They learn, grow, and gain confidence. It’s amazing to be part of that change,” she says.

Although she doesn’t plan to stay in Sri Lanka forever, Voltrova believes her journey here has given her a new perspective on life. “My goal is simply to be content - to be happy with where life takes me,” she smiles. “As long as I feel I can contribute to the Foundation of Goodness, I want to stay and help,” she adds. 

Through her compassion, commitment, and quiet leadership, Voltrova embodies the true spirit of volunteering - proving that goodness knows no borders.