SJMS enriching under privileged communities in northern region
Saturday, 21 December 2013 00:00
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Following up on the firm’s initiative in August this year, conducting a series of seminars for Year 5 Scholarship exam students of Padavi-Sripura and Kokkilai, with the aid of resource personnel (teachers) from D.S. Senanayake Vidyalaya and Sirimavo Bandaranayake Vidyalaya of Colombo, the Welfare and CSR Society of SJMS Associates, a firm of chartered accountants, has noted the children of Kokkilai were a contrast to those of Padavi-Sripura, the simple reason being poverty. Participation was poor; malnourishment was evident; lack of enthusiasm was apparent. The children of Kokkilai appeared scantily equipped for schooling and school attendance was obviously low. The need for revival was very much felt.
Impulsively, the Welfare and CSR Society of SJMS decided to take up the task of developing the literacy level of the school-going children of this area and consequently, a long-term strategic plan was drawn up. The plan included: establishment of library facilities; conducting of revision courses for core subjects such as English, Mathematics and Science with resource personnel from Mulaitivu and Trincomalee and provision of school essentials to students.
Several individuals and organisations known to SJMS Associates expressed their willingness to fund the essentials the children required for schooling. The SJMS Welfare and CSR Society took up the responsibility of utilising the funds so received meaningfully, and lost no time in purchasing the items necessary for the forthcoming calendar year for distribution among approximately 180 children of 4 schools in Kokkilai. On 23 November 2013, the Society re-visited Kokkilai with essential goods. The children were provided with basic essentials such as school bags, school shoes and stationery. The Society was also able to establish library facilities in Kokkuthuduwai Tamil School and Kokilai Tamil School.
It is the fervent intention of the firm to continue to support these children, as well as the schools concerned, to improve the standard of education of this community and to ensure that no child is deprived of basic education simply because of the parents’ inability to provide the materials necessary for schooling.
The SJMS Associates expresses its appreciation and gratitude to Colonel Sumith Premalal and Lieutenant Colonel Srikantha of 622 Brigade, Helambawewa, Welioya, for having facilitated the program with their co-ordinating skills.
