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| Sunday, 17 July 2005 |
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Microsoft grants Rs. 20m to rebuild tsunami-hit communities Microsoft, the world leader in software, will make outright cash grants of Rs 20 million to two NGOs for micro-financing as part of the company's efforts to rebuild tsunami affected communities. The Women's Development Federation (WDF) will receive Rs 12 million and Arthacharya Foundation (AF) Rs. 8 million, Microsoft Sri Lanka's country manager, Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne said. Microsoft's cash grants are expected to play an important role in rebuilding local communities through the provision of loans to small enterprises and households affected by the tsunami. These investments will also assist the progress on the reconstruction and rehabilitation work in the tsunami-affected areas. Microsoft's general manager for new markets in South East Asia, Faycal Bouchlaghem, said that Microsoft aims to facilitate and assist in the speedy construction and rehabilitation of required infrastructure and other facilities in tsunami affected districts. Microsoft aims to accelerate economic development and assist people in small and mid organisations to rapidly overcome the effects of this natural disaster. The two NGOs have more than 10 years' experience in micro-financing at ground level, focusing on women empowerment and poverty alleviation in the next five years and expect to directly touch 45,000 people who will benefit from the micro-finance grants. Immediately following the tsunami disaster Microsoft Sri Lanka contributions amounted to over Rs. 60 million in cash, software, consultancy and other day to day humanitarian supplies, coordinated and executed through government and non-government organisations. WDF, set up in 1989 with the Janasaviya poverty alleviation program is managed by women with a membership of over 32,000. Its primary objectives are savings mobilisation and provision of credit, carried out through 72 Janashakthi bank societies. These societies are designed to provide credit for enterprise. WDF also focuses on women empowerment, health, nutrition and poverty alleviation, WDF's general manager, Ms S.P. Sriyani Mangalika said. WDF springs from one of the most economically backward districts of Sri Lanka, with limited resources and activities focused on poverty elevation through empowerment of women. WDF will attempt to uplift the living conditions of 32,000 member families, especially those affected by the tsunami. EL |
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