Ex Sampath Bankers Club successfully completes 1st CSR project

Ex Sampath Bankers Club successfully completed its first CSR project when it set up a children’s library at a school which lacked many facilities as the children were all from very poor families in the area. 

The Executive Council of the Club in keeping with its objectives took a decision to embark on a CSR project and selected the education sector to be the focus. The members of the committee appointed visited some schools in the Colombo district and although most of them requested assistance the facilities they already enjoyed were such that they could not be categorised as most deserving. Therefore the committee decided to look at schools in the Kalutara district with the assistance of the regional manager of Sampath Bank responsible for that district and the manager of their Kalutara Branch.

The Manager discussed this issue with some officials in the Regional Education Department in Kalutara and obtained their recommendation to decide on a deserving school. The school selected for the project was Duwegoda Primary School which is located in Halkadawala a remote area in the Kalutara district which lacked many facilities but having a highly motivated principal and staff who took great pains towards developing the school.

During the initial discussions with the principal of the school they informed the committee that they were keen in having a children’s library and a computer room as their immediate needs. The club agreed to provide a children’s library. The next issue was a room to house the library. The principal very generously agreed to give up his room which was the only room in the school with a ceiling, for the library. He offered to move to a smaller room in the building and requested the club to put up a ceiling in that room to which the club also agreed.

Towards the funding of this project the club organised a ‘Sing Along’ which was held on 28 October 2016 at Grand Monarch, Thalawathugoda which was well attended and some members of the audience generously pledged and delivered some books for the library .

The room given for the library was renovated and repainted by the club. The club provided six new reading tables, four new book cupboards and a personal computer along with a computer table. The school gave a list of recommended books required for the library and the club purchased all the books requested and available for sale at the bookstores. These were handed over along with the books donated by well wishers thereby ensuring that the library was well equipped to cater to the needs of all children in years one to five. 40 wooden chairs which were made available by the school for the library were repainted to give them a new look. 

To house the principal who gave up his room for the children’s library, the club refurbished the room provided, by putting up the ceiling, painted the room and fixed two wall fans and lights. An office table and a new revolving chair were also provided for the principal’s office.

The handing over took place on 11 January 2017, the day the new Year 1 students were admitted to the school at a simple ceremony, with the parents of the new children also being present. Since the handing over of the children’s library and the refurbished principal’s office was scheduled along with the admission of new students the principal requested the club to consider providing gifts for the 39 new students. Sampath Bank very generously provided the 39 school bags along with tills for this purpose and they were presented to the new students at this ceremony. The school principal, teachers and the parents in their speeches expressed their appreciation of the contribution made by the club to fulfil a long felt need of this poor remote school.  

Ex Sampath Bankers Club very sincerely thank all those who contributed towards this worthy cause and looks forward to their continued support for its future projects as well.