More than 400 students from Grades one (1) to eleven (11) from households disproportionately affected by Sri Lanka’s adverse economic conditions benefited from the programme.
The programme was rolled out in the Kegalle and Galigamuwa divisions of the Kegalle District.
The Managing Director of Daraz Sri Lanka, Mr. Rakhil Fernando, expressed his views on the project,
“Daraz recognizes the importance of taking small but essential steps to providing students with the necessary resources for learning.
Education is critical and cannot be compromised and education is not just a priority for us at Daraz Cares but it’s a passion, as we strive to uplift communities in Sri Lanka and the wider South Asian region.
We are committed to helping students affected by the adverse economic conditions in Sri Lanka, to receive the education they need and deserve through initiatives such as ‘Igenumata Athwelak,’ and other digital literacy focused projects that are implemented in partnership with like-minded organisations working to revolutionise education in Sri Lanka and the wider region.”
Sri Lankans are facing unparalleled difficulties due to the current economic crisis in the country, which includes shortages of necessary items, rising costs of living, and declining living conditions.
The impacts of the crisis are graver and more ominous for those in vulnerable communities, where families struggle to make ends meet amidst mounting financial difficulties.
Against this backdrop, Daraz Cares’ ‘Igenumata Athwelak' initiative serves as a reminder of Daraz's dedication to making a meaningful impact on the communities of Sri Lanka.
Commenting on the initiative, Head of Public Policy and Corporate Affairs at Daraz Sri Lanka Ms. Anishka de Zylva said,
“We understand that access to education is not universal, and we're committed to playing our part in closing that gap.
By providing school supplies to students in Sri Lanka, we hope to inspire them to continue their educational journey and realise their full potential.
We're grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their success and remain committed to creating a world where everyone has access to quality education.
A special and heartfelt thank you goes out to all those who contributed to this initiative, particularly our school supplies partner, Promate, government officials who helped facilitate this initiative and Daraz volunteers who worked together to bring this initiative to life.”
Daraz Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of Daraz that covers donations, community upliftment initiatives, and volunteering programmes across South Asia.
In Sri Lanka, Daraz Cares aims to create, fund and implement solutions for the country’s urgent challenges and pressing development needs.
Within the ambit of Daraz Cares, Daraz Donates provides everyone that visits the online shopping platform an opportunity to be a part of the meaningful work carried out by organisations focused on uplifting communities and driving change.
Those who wish to be a part of the change that technology is driving in the communities of Sri Lanka can now donate to a cause they are most passionate about, via https://www.daraz.lk/donation/
Photo Captions
1. Daraz Sri Lanka MD Rakhil Fernando and Head of Public Policy, Corp Affairs & ESG Anishka de Zylva at the event
2. Students in attendance at the programme
