Hemas to build model ‘Piyawara’ Pre-School in Jaffna
April 26, 2010 04:42 pm
* Similar models for other war-torn districts in the North
Hemas Holdings PLC Ltd recently laid the foundation stone
for a new
Situated in Nallur,
Director Hemas Holdings Abbas Esufally said, “We are now in
a critical phase of post-war reconstruction and development. After thirty years
of hardship, the people of the North have the right to enjoy the similar
benefits enjoyed by their follow citizens in the rest of the country. As a
responsible corporate citizen we are happy to assist the national effort to
build bridges, help the people of the North re-start their lives and prosper
together as a single nation. Piyawara being a totally sustainable project, I
have no doubt that it will change the lives of the children in
‘Piyawara’ is a community service project initiated by Hemas
in association with the Children’s Secretariat of Ministry of Child Development
since 2002. The projects aim is to promote higher standards in early childhood
development, by setting up model centres and creating awareness throughout
Hemas Corporate Communications Manager Shiromi Masakorala says, “With speedy re-settlement now taking place, a state-of-the-art Pre-School has become a necessity in these areas. Our intention is to build four more such Pre-Schools in the war-torn areas of Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Mannar and Mullaitivu. We are looking to raise funds for the balance schools through grants from international organisations”.
“As a short term relief to the IDPs, Hemas initially set up a series of Pre-Schools and play areas in the Menik Farm in Vavuniya since February 2009. These facilities provided pre-school education to several thousands of IDP children. These schools are still functioning to date in the Menik Farm, with much less children however, due to successful resettlement taking place”, Masakorala added.
Hemas is already present in the North with its Pre-School established in 2002 in the Nallur Municipal Complex in Nallur. This was one of the first ever such Pre-Schools Jaffna has had even during the war and functions successfully even to this date.
“We have come a long way since the launch of ‘Piyawara’ in
2002. In keeping with our core value which is ‘Concern for People’ we viewed
this project neither as a means of strategic brand promotion nor as a standard
CSR to gain mileage, but rather as a national need. Being a 100% Sri Lankan company we also
believe that our investment in early childhood is beneficial to
At present Hemas
fosters 32 Pre-Schools in all districts throughout the country with an
investment of approx Rs. 200 Mn. CSR work is carried out through the Hemas
Outreach Foundation which is a Government Approved Charity. It is managed by a
Trust that includes eminent personalities in
The ‘Piyawara’ project won the Asia CSR award in 2007 as model for the Asian region. This strategic partnership with the Children’s Secretariat of the Ministry of Child Development has been a vital factor for the sustainability and success of this project. At present a variety of programmes are conducted under this project including teacher training, parental awareness programmes etc. Among them is a successful weekly talk show on Rupavahini titled ‘Daru Patiyage Lokaya’ and sponsored by one of Hemas’ key brands Baby Cheramy.
Hemas Group is one of the leading conglomerates in
Photo caption: Minister Douglas Devananda at the launch of
the new