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GSK supports empowerment project
IT training, psycho-social and legal support units set up:
A computer training unit and a psycho-social support unit for
disabled people were opened recently at the Leonard Cheshire Disability
Resource Centre (LCDRC) in Habaraduwa, Galle, in support of an ongoing
community project of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals (GSK).
The project initiated earlier this year comprises programs to empower
persons with disabilities in southern Sri Lanka, and is funded by the
global pharmaceuticals giant.
The GSK-funded computer training unit for
disabled people in Habaraduwa. |
As part of the project, a legal support service that will provide
legal advice and consultancy also commenced operations recently. This
unit will institute legal proceedings and appear for court cases when
necessary on behalf of disabled people.
GSK Pharmaceuticals Sri Lanka Managing Director Stuart Chapman said,
“GSK supported this project to help people with disabilities to live
independently. It is impressive to see how this multi-faceted project is
progressing.”
“By the end of the project, beneficiaries would have been empowered
to improve their living conditions through opportunities provided to
combat poverty by supporting themselves and their families,” he said.
Chapman said that this project is unique because apart from supporting
and funding beneficiaries economically, it also guided them in
sustainability and capacity building. For example, when the project
gives micro credit to a person it would also provide the beneficiary
with training on money value management, he explained.
At the opening ceremony of these three new units, 30 disabled people
were presented with micro credit for self employment and a talented
nine-year-old visually impaired school boy was presented with a computer
that has specialized software and a voice recorder.
The project involves vital health and rehabilitation programs that
meet a wide range of needs of people with disabilities to reduce the
impact of disability; innovative community based services that support
persons with disabilities to live inter-dependent lives with others;
promoting disabled children’s right to a meaningful education; and
sustainable livelihoods programs that focus on economic empowerment and
self reliance.
GSK has committed Rs. 39 million for this project to help 700
disabled people living in Galle through empowerment programs over a
three year period.
One of the first recipients of the prestigious ‘CommunityMark’
awarded by the UK’s Business in the Community (BITC) for worldwide
initiatives that have a positive impact on society, GSK has implemented
numerous CSR projects in Sri Lanka.
Its recent CSR projects include the refurbishment of a ward at the
Welisara Chest Hospital, renovation of a ward at the Lunawa District
Hospital and the donation of a fully equipped High Dependency Unit (HDU)
to the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital. In the aftermath of the Indian
Ocean tsunami, GSK spent Rs 29 million to help restore healthcare
systems and improve service capacity in the affected areas in Sri Lanka.
Arts and crafts exhibition :
Vismitha Viskam
The ‘Vismitha Viskam Nirmana Sansadhaya’, an organization that
supports the development of arts and crafts in the country will hold its
first exhibition from August 29 - 30, at the Kala Bhavana Art Gallery.
Over 270 artists, including soldiers from the Ranaviru will
participate in this event. This exhibition will showcase a wide range of
traditional handicrafts. Most of the products that will be displayed at
the exhibition will be made using local eco-friendly raw materials and
resources.
The objective of the exhibition is to provide a platform for the
artists to market their handicrafts locally and internationally. The
best displayed handicraft will be awarded Rs.100,000 and the second
winner will receive Rs.50,000.
The third winner will receive Rs. 25,000. In addition, ten
participants will be selected to receive Rs. 5,000 as special
commendations for their work. President of the ‘Vismita Viskam Nirmana
Sansadhaya’, Shashini Ranasinghe said, “I am extremely pleased with how
far our Foundation has progressed, especially now having a base of 300
members who are all talented artists in their own right.
The exhibition will be the first from a wide range of community based
projects that we plan to hold in future. This proves that there is a lot
of talent and creativity in our country that needs to be nurtured and
showcased at local and international level.”
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