“We launched this programme in February last year with the intention of helping school leavers who need guidance regarding their future career paths.
It is our aim to conduct these programmes in a total of 120 schools, thus benefitting over 100,000 students in total”, said Shabier Subian Director Fashion Bug, whose brainchild this is.
The Company which in the recent past has been involved in many such CSR initiatives, has organized a series of island wide career guidance workshops together with the Provincial Education Offices, for students who are doing the Advanced Level examination.
At the Al Hilal Central School in Negombo a total of 300 students attended the programme which was conducted by Dr. M.T.Ziyad Mohamed, Director Insight Centre for Education & Mr Mohamed ( Insight Center of Education) in the Tamil Medium.
At St Thomas Girls School Matara , a total of 420 students participated at the programme which was conducted by Prof. Sarath Wijesooriya.
Also associated with these programmes were Mr Namal Ekanayaka - Human Resources Development Manager, Ms Samadi Abeysinghe - Marketing Manager, Dr S.H.M.Faraaz – Deputy General Manager ,and other senior staff members of Fashion Bug.
“ The Sisu Dirimaga Foundation is a sustainable CSR platform as opposed to miscellaneous one-off projects that lack long term objectives.
The Sisu Dirimaga programme will ensure that all our projects will stem from one key platform, establishing a clear CSR identity for Fashion Bug as a responsible Corporate Citizen ”, said Dr Faraaz.
The topics addressed at these workshops included how to get through A-level exams effectively and in a stress-free manner, coping with educational as well as family issues, managing time effectively, as well as instructing students on how to asses themselves as a student and how to pre plan their future taking into account their individual strengths and desires.
New industries to enter and how to plan subjects accordingly to meet the country's demand and supply for jobs, what sort of jobs are popular and what areas are risky, strategic planning on what one needs to do in order to select A/L subjects to match the chosen career path, are also amongst the topics under discussion.
Additionally, included in the program are a few motivational programs, as well as ‘tricks and strategies’ on how best to prepare yourself for exams.
Real life examples of successful leaders and professionals are also given, thus serving to further motivate students to achieve their goals.
A number of projects have got under way as part of Fashion Bug’s Sisu Dirimaga scheme; namely the drinking water project that was completed and presented to the Ovitigamuwa Maha Vidyalaya, the donation of the computer unit at the Thumbe Kanishta Vidyalaya, the sponsorship of the Dhammikka Kithulgoda scholarship foundation, the refurbishment of the maternity ward at Ragama Teaching hospital, the Kalubowila Hospital, Maharagama Cancer Hospital, Lady Ridway, Colombo Eye Hospital and environmental projects in various parts of the country.
“Developingunderprivileged schools in rural areas through mobilizing of projects, upholding and financially enabling underprivileged students who excel academically, enabling the dreams of those with the desire to learn and making a reality of Education for all no matter your circumstances, is our goal”, said Subian.