Sampath Bank concludes Youth Empowerment Project – 2nd phase

Friday, 9 May 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sampath Bank, the pioneer in innovation in the banking sector, as a socially responsible corporate citizen, partnered with AIESEC (Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales) Sri Lanka, local committee – University of Sri Jayewardenepura for a Youth Empowerment Project for the second successive year. The theme of the program was ‘Ample Path of Inspiration 2.0’ (API 2.0). A series of events, learning sessions on matters related to youth and a large number of CSR activities were also included in the 2014 program with the participation of 12 foreign interns representing Netherlands, China, Ukraine, Germany, Pakistan, Canada, Russia, and Brazil. Some significant events are stated below.

Leadership training sessions were carried out in seven schools in different parts of the country during the year. These campaigns were targeted at students in the age group of 17-19 years to develop their skills, morals and attitudes to be future leaders in Sri Lanka. The selected schools were Unawatuna Maha Vidyalaya, Sandalankawa Central College, Medirigiriya Maha Vidyalaya, Visakha Vidyalaya –Badulla, Dharmapala Vidyalaya –Pannipitiya, Gintota Maha Vidyalaya and Chandrananda Vidyalaya, Kandy. A Global Village event was also implemented to enhance the global equality among the students. The objective was to gather youth from different countries and experience their unique backgrounds. Among the activities lined up for this event were traditional events and cultural games. A cultural show sharing experiences of different cultures was also held.

A beach clean-up campaign in Mount Lavinia to create awareness among the people on the importance of protecting the coastal line was formed as one of the key CSR activities. The program participants paid a visit to the Ranaviru Sevana Army Hospital and spent time with disabled soldiers, sharing their experiences and entertaining them and there was a visit to Methmihira Special Needs Centre also on the cards where they spent the day with children playing games and motivational activities. Apart from the above programs, a seminar on the latest trends in marketing and a youth entrepreneurship and team building session were also held. In the latter, motivational guidance was provided for around 100 school children and 200 undergraduates to start up their own businesses.