Light to Life News 13 November 2009 374 views No Comment  Print This Post  Email This Post

Rotary International District 3220 Sri Lanka and JWT Colombo have teamed up to create opportunities for youth through vocational training in war torn areas. The project is called Light to Life and uses an innovative mechanism to create awareness and generate funds on a global scale. The Light to Life project is endorsed by the Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka and aims to initially collect a sum of Rs. 25 million or US$ 215,000 to build a vocational training school in the war torn areas of Sri Lanka. Towards the overall success of this project, over 60 partners of JWT have committed their unstinted support by offering media, production and a host of other services free of charge, which would otherwise have collectively amounted to the approximate value of Rs. 65 million.

Speaking at the press conference, Mr. Thayalan Bartlett – Chief Executive Officer of JWT Colombo explained that the Government has effectively played its role in bringing about a final conclusion to the war. The private sector should not wait for more dividends from the Government, but should now come together and create the dividends for its citizens by turning Sri Lanka into a vibrant, thriving entity. To do so, the private sector has to first ensure that those left in the wake of a 30 year war are brought up to speed with the rest of the country. A modern vocational training institute is a worthy and timely investment towards the future of Sri Lanka. We hope that once this institute is set up, it will help youth to help themselves and the society they live in.

Mr. Thariq Thulba – Past Governor and Project Chairman of Light to Life stated that Rotary International, protagonists for peace, health and wellbeing since 1905, has the distinction of being the first service organisation in the world. “Rotary District 3220 is delighted to partner the Vocational Training Authority and JWT & Mindshare Colombo to make an investment in Sri Lanka’s future through a sustainable project that will give youth the opportunity and security of a good future”, said Mr. Thulba. He added that a project of this magnitude is of immense importance, because it instills within the youth a sense of determination and hope, inspiring them to be good and productive citizens instead of succumbing to false and radical ideology.

Mr. Thayalan Bartlett further added that as a corporate policy, JWT actively works for communities it engages with everyday on behalf of its clients’ brands. “We are of the fervent belief that building a strong and independent community promotes social progression and builds sustainable markets for brands and companies to coexist. Stronger communities contribute to a stronger economy; a stronger economy opens new opportunities and new opportunities fuel individuals and companies. The Light to Life project is yet another initiative to rebuild Sri Lanka after almost 3 decades of war. It’s our small contribution to make Sri Lanka stronger and more competitive”, said Mr. Bartlett.

The Light to Life project will erect a spectacular Christmas tree in one of Sri Lanka’s premiere shopping malls, Crescat Boulevard, from the 1^st to the 24^th of December. This tree is a physical representation of a cyber tree that will take shape through donations at www.lightolife.lk from today. Individual donors can make a contribution from as low as Rs. 100 or US$ 1 which would effectively contribute towards the lighting of a bulb on the tree. The tree will have 24 layers and a star to correspond with the first 24 days of December. Each layer is worth Rs. 1 million or US$ 10,000. Leading corporate entities such as Dialog, GlaxoSmithKline (Consumer), MAS Intimates and CEAT Sri Lanka have already come forward to lend their support to this initiative. Other corporate entities are expected to sign up within the next few weeks. To donate, please visit www.lighttolife.lk or make a payment in favour of ‘Rotary Light To Life’ and send it to 26B, Alwis Place, Colombo 3.

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