Sunday Times 2
Unsung heroes saluted at V awards
It’s that time of the year when the nation salutes the silent work of hitherto unknown volunteers for their selfless contributions. Nominations were opened for the National Volunteer Awards (V awards) 2013 at a media briefing held in Colombo last Tuesday, September 3.
Three popular personalities joined hands with the V awards to endorse the cause- national cricketers and former captains Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, and popular singer Bathiya Jayakody. National V Awards is organsised by News First in collaboration with the United Nations Volunteers and the Ministry of Social Services.
“We are honoured to be a part of this event. The V Awards give these silent workers recognition and exposure for their work while also influencing others like you and me to take part in this humble attempt of improving the underprivileged communities of our country. We hope these true stories of unrecognised sacrifices will inspire other capable and willing individuals to participate in making a difference for these deserving people,” said Kumar. Speaking of his personal experience, Bathiya said, “In my childhood I had speech issues. When I got too excited about something my words would get jumbled.
More than me I think it worried my parents because they thought it would affect my future. I remember they did many things like taking me to different programmes and also to temples and kovils for various poojas. None of it helped. Then I joined a volunteer’s speech therapy class where many people with the same problem were present and it worked for me. Now I teach other children with speech difficulties about confidence giving my example as evidence. Volunteers have been a great part of our country’s community development and I’m glad that they are being recognised. This awards ceremony is like the Grammy’s for the volunteers. By endorsing this, it’s our way of saying thank you to these present day heroes”
Awards will be made to the Best Volunteer of the Year and the Best Youth Volunteer. A special award will also be presented for water related initiatives in celebration of the International Year of Water Cooperation. The grand finals will be held on December 6, also marking the International Volunteer Day.
Nominations forms are available at www.vawards.lk and can be sent to the V Awards Secretariat, C/o UN Volunteers, 202-204, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7.
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