Colombo Plan provides grant
Micro credit project for Jaffna, Mannar women
entrepreneurs:
The Colombo Plan is providing a grant from its Community Development
Fund to the Women's Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) to implement
a micro credit project in the Jaffna and Mannar Districts. The idea was
mooted by the Colombo Plan Secretary-General Patricia Yoon Moi Chia, who
visited Jaffna in October 2010. The fund would be used mainly to uplift
the lives of poorer households, especially those headed by women in
these two districts affected by the 30 year war. The WCIC will implement
the project beginning January 2011 and will maintain the fund as a
revolving fund.
|
Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairperson Vidyani
Hettigoda and Colombo Plan Secretary-General Patricia Yoon
Moi Chia at the signing of the MoU. |
The memorandum of understanding was signed by the Colombo Plan
Secretary-General, Patricia Yoon Moi Chia and Women's Chamber of
Industry and Commerce Chairperson Vidyani Hettigoda on December 15. The
objective of the project is to create job opportunities and empower
women as entrepreneurs in the Jaffna and Mannar District.
The fund will be allocated to 40 women to start small and medium size
businesses or to enhance their existing businesses. These women are
required to organize themselves in groups of five according to their
business activity and should have a business plan.
The WCIC is responsible for the allocation of funds and its
maintenance as a revolving fund. In addition, Hettigoda said that WCIC
will support the project through the provision of training in relevant
aspects such as accounting, financial analysis, management and in
developing new products. The WCIC will also support in finding markets
for the products outside Jaffna and Mannar Districts and sourcing of
equipment.
Since 2006, the Colombo Plan has been reaching out to the community
through special projects aimed at community development in member
countries. Past projects included the provision of equipment to the
Hardy Technical College, Bhutan Public Library and support for 40
students through high school through the Bhutan Youth Development Fund,
assistance to Nargis flood victims in Myanmar and school supplies for
310 children who were affected by the floods in Pakistan. Contributions
were also given to help the abandoned children's centre of Sri Lanka
Sarvodya Society. |
