Children around Sri Lanka paint for water in Brandix initiative
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Some of the wall paintings of schools that participated in the Brandix 'Diya Siththam' competition
A novel initiative to inspire children to give expression to their views on water conservation and management through art has resulted in the Brandix Group engaging with 37 schools in Sri Lanka to commemorate World Water Day 2016. The ‘Diya Siththam’ (Water Frescoes) programme conducted by the Bindu Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility division of the Group paved the way for nine schools whose thematic wall paintings were adjudged the best among participants to receive financial assistance from the company, Brandix said in media release.
Driven by Brandix Group factories around Sri Lanka, the initiative brought together children from areas as geographically and socially diverse as Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa, Giritale, Koggala, Nivithigala, Rideegama, Seeduwa, Ratmalana and Avissawella to name a few, in an activity that stimulated deeper thought about the water-related issues facing many communities in Sri Lanka. ”The enthusiastic response of hundreds of children to this art competition was heartening and inspirational,” Anusha Alles, Head of CSR & Corporate Communications at Brandix said. “It was a great platform to educate a wide cross section of our future generation on the importance of water use and conservation, while providing them with an opportunity to have fun and explore their artistic skills.”
A team of judges travelled around the country to assess the efforts of the children, at the end of which the wall paintings of five schools, Medirigiriya Central College, Giritale; Sri Rahula Maha Vidyalaya, Ratmalana; Halpathota Romanu Katholika Vidyalaya, Koggala; Kadawala Navodya Central College, Ratmalana and Peellawatta David De Silva Kanishta Vidyalaya, Katunayake were chosen as the best. Each of these schools received Rs. 200,000 from Brandix for their efforts. The Group also rewarded every one of the four primary schools that participated, with a total of Rs. 375,000 in cash prizes.