Engaged Beyond Business

One World Foundation

A social initiative funded by Hilti employees

“One World Foundation” supports targeted educational projects in Ahungalla and provides free education for children, young people, and adults. The school is mainly financed through the income of the neighboring guesthouse as well as its art and literature program. A key focus of the school’s work is peace-building, promoted through Tamil language classes and a diverse intercultural education program. In addition, the foundation places a strong emphasis on empowering girls and women by fostering education, self-confidence, and opportunities for self-determination.

The project

Another focus is environmental education: For example, in garbage collection, waste separation and topic specifications for exams and essays. In addition, the school’s education system is inspired by the so-called “social sculpture” of the artist Joseph Beuys. Beuys advocated a broader concept of art which, in addition to the materially tangible work, also includes human, socially transformative action.

The Free Education School is supported by Hilti. To date, this EBB initiative has been financed exclusively by Hilti employees.

Locally grounded and backed

Due to its long existence and local management, the school has developed into an initiative supported by the region. Most of the students come from very simple backgrounds such as workers, tuk tuk drivers and fishermen or from families without a stable income. There is often not enough money for state schools in rural areas, with corresponding consequences for the quality of education.

This is where “One World Foundation” comes in: Through its early childhood education program, the school promotes equal opportunities within the state school system. Language, computer, and photography courses strengthen the employability of young people. The further education programs of the Women’s Cooperation open real opportunities for young mothers to re-enter the labor market and thus contribute to the development of a slowly growing middle class and the future of the country. All vocational training programs are completed with state-recognized certificates.

Support opportunities

There are various ways to support this initiative. For example, interested Hilti team members can simply transfer monetary donations. However, they can also run their own fundraising campaigns at their workplaces and then donate the campaign proceeds. What such a fundraising campaign looks like in detail is left solely to the creativity of the organizers: Ideas range from fundraising runs or sales campaigns to paid training courses. The proceeds of the donation then only have to be transferred to the headquarters in Schaan and will then benefit directly the “one world foundation” in Sri Lanka.

Facts & Figures

The annual budget enables the education of over 1,100 students. The school is run by local education experts and provides 31 full-time positions, including caretakers and other non-teaching staff, as well as 15 part-time positions. Since 2019, approximately CHF 243,000 has been donated by Hilti employees, of which CHF 27,310 was contributed in 2025.

About the courses

  • The Art & Literature Program provides artists and writers with a creative space for their work. The «one world foundation» promotes cultural exchange and mutual understanding across borders. As a meeting place and space for creative exchange, artists and writers are offered an inspiring place to stay and a suitable studio for their work. Surrounded by palm forests, these creative individuals are given the opportunity to be inspired by encounters with both guests and locals.

  • Ayurveda Guesthouse & Resort Bogenvillya is situated in a tropical garden with direct access to the beach. It is located 80 km south of Colombo on the west coast of Sri Lanka on the Ahungalla Beach and is Westled in the coastal landscape near the fishing village Ahungalla. It is equipped with a landscaped garden with a lagoon, palm trees, small fishponds, lush tropical vegetation and a swimming pool as well as direct access to the beach. The guesthouse offers yoga lessons and balanced, predominantly vegetarian cuisine.

  • More than 1,100 pupils attend the Free Education School. It offers courses from preschool through vocational training, complementing the education provided by the state-run schools. Together with the school in Katuwila, the «one world foundation» offers the following cost-free education programs:

    • Pre-school

    • Primary education

    • English classes

    • Tamil classes

    • Computer skills

    • Women's classes

    • Photography classes

    • Music classes

    • Sport classes

How to transfer donations?

Individual or collective amounts can be transferred to the cost center at the cashier’s office in Schaan as follows…:

Cost Center

BKR

Reference

518306 - EBB Fundraising

1051 HAG

EBB - 1022978 - P # 01.15 one world foundation

Or by bank transfer to the following bank account. The donated amount will be converted to CHF:

Bank

SWIFT / BIC

Bank Code

Beneficiary

IBAN

Reference

UBS Switzerland AG, CH-8001 Zürich

UBSWCHZH80A

0230

Hilti AG, Feldkircherstrasse 100, FL-9494 Schaan

CH18 0023 0230 3919 9101 P

EBB - 1022978 - P # 01.15 one world foundation

History of origins and philosophy

When founders Kathrin Messner and Josef Ortner visited Sri Lanka in 1983, they were looking for a location where they could gain experience and exchange ideas. By chance they found a plot of land and without further ado built a house that was to function as a meeting place for artists and friends.

Over the years, this basic idea gave rise to the guesthouse, the art and literature program and the Free Education School. In this way, the “one world foundation” supports tourism based on mutual understanding: It promotes exchange and dialog between locals and guests. Through close cooperation a solidarity is created that transcends ethnic and religious boundaries.

As the proceeds from the guesthouse benefit the Free Education School, it can of course also be supported through vacation bookings at the resort.

Do you have any questions? You can reach us by e-mail:

foundation-ebb.hiltiteam@hilti.com