Enable the Disabled CSR initiative to be a franchise soon

Monday, 20 September 2021 23:26 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

ETD, as it is commonly known, the CSR arm of TMC, will soon change its status from a corporate entity to become an extension of the main entity, The Management Club.

ETD with its unique nature of creating awareness among the public for the need to be empathetic towards the disabled rather than be sympathetic, has been a very active social body that has organised significant projects such as the Dirijaya 1 and 2, building parks for disabled children in three locations. Dirijaya 1 acknowledged and recognised the outstanding performances of the disabled in numerous fields such as music, sports, arts, entrepreneurship, etc., whilst Dirijaya 2 brought together the able and the disabled to perform on one platform.

What has not been realised for many years is that those with disabilities need no sympathy; what they wish for is for the public to realise that they are as able as those with no disabilities. Often it has been discovered that those with disabilities have untapped talents and skills and senses that have developed much more than those with no disabilities. One among the striking characteristics of the disabled is their work ethics. Always on time, regular at attendance, sun or rain these individuals ensure that they attend work on time.

It is indeed regrettable that often some sections of society tend to treat the disabled indifferently rather than engaging them with empathy. This results in them being marginalised and what’s worse is that they become demotivated and depressed. Questions that arise now is do we in Sri Lanka have the necessary means or the mechanism to have a huge population of the disabled to be trained, inspired and motivated so that they may become employable!

Enable the Disabled was founded by some of the senior founder members of TMC 15 years ago. The first President Charmaine Vanderhoevan of ETD, was one of them who was compassionate and generous with her time and thoughtfulness, she led ETD not only during the formative, and subsequent years (for almost 10 years) when another lady namely Jezaayar Hassendeen took on the reigns to guide ETD. Jezaya has been instrumental in developing parks for the disabled children.

The organisation is now in the process of increasing its membership with like-minded individuals, who can take responsibility for numerous other projects to serve the disabled. The Executive Committee will also be pursuing the granting of scholarships to enterprising disabled youth and work on a national level conference on the theme ‘The disabled are as able as we are’.