The Company which in the recent past has been involved in many such CSR initiatives, has set about organizing a series of island wide career guidance workshops, together with the Provincial Education Offices, for students who are doing the Advanced Level examination.
“ We are conducting these programmes in over 120 schools island wide, and over 100,000 students will benefit as a result”, said Director Fashion Bug and Founder of the Sisu Dirimaga programme, Shabier Subian.
To date Fashion Bug has conducted these programmes in a total of 20 schools, with over 6000 students having participated in them.
Most recently Fashion Bug concluded three such programmes at K-Azar College in Akurana where a total of 400 students participated, Zahira College Gampola where 500 students participated and Karavita National School Nivithigala along with 6 participating Schools in the area, which saw a total of over 500 students participating in the programme.
The Resource persons involved for the programmes conducted at K-Azar College Akurana and Zahira College Gampola were Dr Ziyad Mohamed- Director, Educational Support Division , Insight Center for Education and Mr Zamrin Zarook from the Educational Support Division , Insight Center for Education.
For the programme conducted at Karavita National School Nivithigala , Prof. Sarath Wijesooriya, Sinhala Division, University of Colombo was the Resource person, while the programme itself was organized by the Karavita Divisional Secretariat and fully sponsored by Fashion Bug.
The topics addressed at these workshops include how to get through A-level exams effectively and in a stress-free manner, coping with educational as well as family issues and managing time effectively, how to asses yourself as a student and how to pre plan your future taking into account your 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 you need 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 the students to achieve their goals.
Associated with these programmes were Dr. S.H.M Faraaz - Deputy General Manager, Mr Namal Ekanayaka - Senior Manager HRD, Mr Ishan Godamanna - Senior Marketing Executive, Mr S.M Faham - Assitant Manager Marketing, Mr Mohamed Hizam - Rathnapura Branch Manager, Mr Naleem - Katugasthota Branch Manager, Mr Faishad - Area Manager Kandy Region and Mr Faleel - Operations Manager Kandy of Fashion Bug.
“It is our aim to establish a sustainable CSR platform as opposed to miscellaneous one-off projects that lack clear, long term objectives.
The Sisu Dirimaga programme will ensure that all projects stem from one clear platform, establishing a clear CSR identity for Fashion Bug as a responsible Corporate Citizen, as well as give our customers the satisfaction of being part of a noble national cause’, said Subian.
In addition, Fashion Bug is also involved in several other CSR projects which include the provision of a drinking water plant to Ovitigama Maha Vidyalaya in Matara, providing a Computer Lab to Thube Kanishta Viduhala in Matara, Kalubowila Hospital, Maharagama Cancer Hospital, Ragama Hospital and an environmental project in Kurunegala, namely ‘Thuru Sahasak’ and “Puruduwanna”.
“Each Fashion Bug outlet works closely with its community.
We have close links with the community centers and religious communities of all religions and we actively participate in and contribute to all their events.
As part of the profits generated from a branch in a particular area are channeled towards the CSR project of that area, our customers who patronize that particular outlet are proud custodians of that particular project and feel that they too are working side by side with us”, said DGM Fashion Bug, Dr. Faraaz Hameed.
“Developing underprivileged 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.
