US partnership promotes growth
US ambassador to Sri Lanka, Michele Sison, opened the 'Sea the
Differences' Training and Production Centre in Selvanayagapuram,
Trincomalee.
The centre's inauguration was attended by Eastern Province Chief
Minister M Najeeb Abdul Majeed and Chief Secretary D M S Abaygunawardana.
The center will empower people with disabilities, providing training
and income generation opportunities.
US ambassador to Sri Lanka Michele Sison and Eastern Province
Chief Minister M Najeeb
Abdul Majeed look at a handicraft created by workers with
disabilities |
This initiative is a partnership between the US government's
development arm - the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID), an Eastern-based foundation - Arumbugal Foundation, and the
Department of Social Services of the Eastern Province.
USAID supports the centre under its VEGA/ BIZ+ programme which
provides grants along with technical and managerial assistance to small-
and medium-size businesses.
Over the next two years, at least 100 people with disabilities will
receive training at the 'Sea the Differences' Centre, learning how to
produce handicrafts and souvenirs.
The Arumbugal Foundation will purchase the finished products and sell
them to retailers and hotels in the region.
The centre in Trincomalee is Arumbugal Foundation's second training
and production centre, with the first located in Batticaloa.
The demand for the Foundation's products exceeds production capacity.
The Foundation is also in the process of locating new sales outlets,
with a special focus on Trincomalee. "Through this partnership, over 100
disabled individuals will receive training and livelihood opportunities.
Most importantly, this initiative will help create awareness and
appreciation of their capacities and abilities while connecting them
with mainstream society," Sison said at the opening ceremony.
USAID will also help Arumbugal Foundation establish small-scale
businesses by building a restaurant in Isha Water Park, a holiday
bungalow in Uppeveli and by purchasing a 32-seat passenger bus to
transport disabled people.
The main aim of this support is to help the Foundation become
self-sufficient and provide training grounds for training and production
centre graduates.
"I thank the American people for supporting the development of the
Eastern province," the Eastern Province Chief Minister said.
The American people, through the US Agency for International
Development, have provided development and humanitarian assistance in
developing countries worldwide for nearly 50 years. Since 1956, the US
government has invested over $2 billion to benefit all the people of Sri
Lanka. |