AmCham donates IT Lab to St. Mary’s College, Mattakkuliya

The American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka (AmCham) recently donated a fully-furnished and equipped computer lab to St. Mary’s College, Mattakkuliya.

The main CSR activity of AmCham is centred on meeting the educational needs of children from poor families. Initially in 2011, AmCham was involved in completely renovating the school’s computer room.

As the second stage of the CSR initiative AmCham upgraded the IT lab with original software and other requirements for a fully fledged IT Lab that would cater to the needs of the children.  The school had engaged the voluntary services of a school leaver from Good Shepherd Convent, Shehani Perera as the IT Instructor.

AmCham undertook to sponsor her remuneration for a period of two years and was instrumental in obtaining a scholarship for her from SLIIT to enable her to improve her IT knowledge in training the students according to the Government syllabus. These initiatives were launched at a ceremony held at the school on 16 October 2012.

St. Mary’s College, Mattakkuliya was established in 1937 and was administered by the Good Shepherd Sisters. In 1962 the School was vested in the Government. Till 1980 the Principals were Rev. Sisters. It is a mixed school and the current student strength is approximately 700 who are from very poor families in the vicinity. The school has 21 classes from Grade 1 to 11. Until this initiative was taken by AmCham, the school did not possess any facilities for computer studies.  President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka Vijaya Ratnayake mentioned how he identified the school by coincidence and decided with the CSR committee members that the school truly deserved assistance. He was pleased that the American Chamber of Commerce was able to provide these much-needed facilities to the school.

Principal of the School, Brother Asoka Perera thanked AmCham for coming forward to assist this needy school. Directors and Officers of AmCham and US Embassy Economic Counsellor Allison Areias-Vogel participated at this ceremony.