NDB Bank goes the extra mile

NDB Bank has, over the years, committed itself to several social responsibility initiatives, going that extra mile to offer a positive benefit to the community and its people. The bank’s recent CSR projects include a plethora of activities that focus on two key areas: education and entrepreneurship.

CSR initiatives implemented department-wise by NDB Bank helped increase staff involvement in improving the quality of life in local communities and building on the bank’s values of integrity, care, passion, teamwork and service. NDB Bank employees of each department were recently given the opportunity to carry out their own CSR projects, in line with the bank’s strategic CSR initiatives.

Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) is the only children’s hospital in Sri Lanka serving as a National referral centre for Paediatric Care. The Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) at LRH takes responsibility of covering critically ill children through various modes.

The Audit, Group Risk and Compliance Departments of NDB Bank refurbished the MICU and replaced the wooden doors and door frames which earlier resulted in air leakage, and replaced them with properly insulated Aluminium doors, reducing air contamination within the ICU. Improvements were made in the MICU interior and exterior as well as in the mothers’ room and waiting areas.

The bank’s SME, Auto Finance, Specialised Commercial Markets (SCM) and Refinance Departments undertook to improve the sanitary conditions and facilities at the D.B. Jayathilake Vidyalaya in Kelaniya, which benefited 150 students and 15 teachers of the school.  

With IT becoming an integral feature on a school’s curriculum, the IT and housing department of NDB Bank embarked on an initiative to enhance IT skills of youth in the outskirts of Colombo. In this effort, 50 girls and boys were selected from the Kalutara District and provided hands-on experience on Microsoft office.

In a bid to encourage the habit of reading among the young students and provide them with opportunities for cultural, social and educational growth, NDB Bank contributed books to the library of the Kadawatha Roman Catholic School. The library was initially constructed by the Bank in an effort to provide better facilities to the children of the school.

Whilst actively strengthening community links, one of the key objectives of NDB Bank’s CSR initiatives includes the personal involvement of staff in refurbishing dilapidated schools and also upgrading facilities of under privileged schools.

The Corporate Banking, Commercial Banking and Project Finance Departments of NDB Bank built and provided books for a much needed library at the Walpola Primary School in Rambukkana, Kegalle.  The school which has 37 students in Grades 1-5 and a small staff of five teachers were also presented with a computer, thus introducing them to the IT technology and all it can offer.

Poverty struck students of the 150-year-old Vijaya Vidyalaya in Dehiwala have, for as long as they can remember, painstakingly copied down questions for all examinations from the blackboard as the school cannot afford to print question papers.

The Treasury/Trade/Treasury Back Office/Con. Credit/Privilege Banking/Cards and Alternate Distribution Channels (ADC) Departments of the Bank donated a Roneo machine to facilitate printed question papers for students. Further the school was refurbished to improve the learning environment for the students.   

Going beyond knowledge, in order to prepare children to become future entrepreneurs and strengthening youth entrepreneurship skills, the HR department of NDB bank conducted a session on career guidance and entrepreneurship.

The theme was supported by the goal of strengthening youth entrepreneurship and the bank’s intention of projecting development on a national level. Sessions ranging from knowledge sharing to legal advice provided insight for entrepreneurs from start up to sustenance of business.