Expolanka commemorates World Health Day

A Health Camp for the children at the SOS Children's village was conducted by the CSR arm of Expolanka Holdings PLC, to commemorate World Health Day. In line with the World Health Organisation's theme "Good Health Adds Years to Life", the project was carried out together with Bio Extracts Ltd - subsidiary of Expolanka Holdings - and the creator of the 'Baraka' brand of Neutraceuticals.

The health camp offered total health check-ups for some 230 children and elderly people at the village, in addition to calculating their Body Mass Index (BMI) and giving them proper dietary advice.

The team also issued free drugs on prescriptions handed out by the consultants at the health camp. Expolanka CSR chose the SOS Children's Village for the project to strengthen the mission of the organisation and to channel resources where it will be best utilised in the treatment of children.

Commenting on World Health Day initiatives, Expolanka's Head of Marketing Corporate Communications, Paddy Weerasekera said, "We believe that Corporate Social Responsibility is about demonstrating our values beyond the confines of the company. It is about being good citizens by getting involved in the communities to which we belong. Making a commitment to improving the well being of our communities is also an important aspect of our responsibility as a corporate citizen. We are proud to do our part and carry the message of good health, not only for World Health Day, but as an on-going activity."

Expolanka CSR was supported in the project by Baraka, a brand dedicated to raising the health standards of people, by using natural herbal supplements to keep illness at bay. With a wide range of herbal supplements covering a variety of health needs, the long-term aims of Baraka tied in perfectly with the WHO theme.

The event also saw booklets on health advice, educational posters and videos with regard to national health courtesy of WHO Sri Lanka, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Services with regard to World Health Day being presented to Laksiri Hettige, Assistant Village Director - SOS Village.

Expolanka's CSR vision is to be a leader in enhancing the long-term sustainability of the communities it serves.

The CSR practices are integrated throughout the business operations delivering social, economic and environmental benefits to employees, communities and other stakeholders. All CSR projects are focused on five areas - namely, Health, Education, Environment, Community Development and Disaster Relief covering most of the societal needs of the country and thus establishing Expolanka as a corporate citizen working for a better tomorrow.

SOS Children's Villages have been active in Sri Lanka for over 32 years with 6 Children's Villages in Galle, Moneragala, Piliyandala, Nuwara-Eliya, Anuradhapura and the newest one under construction in Jaffna.

It goes beyond the concept of an orphanage and gives long term, sustainable home-based care to children at risk.

Beyond this, they also undertake numerous projects around Sri Lanka such as the Family Strengthening Programmes that help low-income families in the community overcome social issues like poverty which lead to child abandonment.