New trust to help southern affected

Ape Dayawa, a trust formed by Siemens and Bayer, recently began a two-fold community development programme for the tsunami-affected villages in Hambantota and Tangalle districts to be implemented by the Jana Suwaya People Development Foundation of Sri Lanka.

The rehabilitation project will focus on uplifting the living standards of the people by constructing two Social learning and Community centres and supporting livelihood improvement programmes by extending interest free loans to women entrepreneurs based on the "micro finance model". Juergen Schubert of Siemens Ltd and Sajith Premadasa, Chairman of Janasuwaya People Foundation handed over the loan cheques to the first few beneficiaries at a ceremony held in Colombo.

The Social learning and Community Centre will provide special training and facilities for women and children like vocational training and counseling programmes, computer and communication facilities with web access, children's library and a first aid medical unit. It will also act as a platform for the community to meet and interact. The livelihood Enhancement Programme will provide support to 5,000 Tsunami affected families in Hambantota and Tangalle districts by extending interest free loans based on the "micro finance model" to women entrepreneurs. These women will be trained into various skills for industries such as animal husbandry, handicrafts, pottery, milk industry, ice cream industry, jewellery craft and other small business enterprises.

The Ape Dayawa trust will provide financial assistance to run and maintain these facilities for five years.