Program to develop:

Entrepreneurial skills of NE children

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

A program to bring about reconciliation among children in the North and the South and develop their entrepreneurial skills was launched by the Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka (YESL).

The program was launched under the theme 'Build up our children, build up our nation' through the Ministry of Education. Students from St. Michael's College, Vivekananda Girls Maha Vidaylaya and St. Vincent's High School Batticaloa were invited to St. Joseph's College Colombo for a two- day interactive program with students from Colombo.The program included a city tour with visits to some of the important places. President, YESL, Patrick Amarasinghe said around 40 students from the East participated in the program which is aimed at building understanding among children of various communities, helping them to be entrepreneurs in their areas and creating market opportunities for a brighter future. "The exchange program was organised in line with the YESL theme 'Groom young children for a better future'.The program will facilitate rural development through young entrepreneurs", he said.

Amarasinghe said schoolchildren from Colombo and Gampaha will be accompanied on a reciprocal tour to schools in Batticaloa within the next two months.

Around 50-60 children will be selected for the program which will include leadership training, awareness building and the regional launch in Batticaloa.Parents will also be invited. He said the YESL has introduced the young entrepreneurship program to over 175 schools and steps are taken to launch the program in schools in the North and the East. The leadership and training provided through the program have helped elementary, middle and upper schoolchildren to excel in the enterprises and be dynamic entrepreneurs.

Based on real life experience the school program includes preparing annual reports, CSR projects, bank accounts, business plans, holding board meeting and marketing.

The YESL which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year has played a salient role in steering youth to be future leaders.

The presentation of the Best Entrepreneur of the Year Award is the most important event of the organisation which promotes youth entrepreneurship in the country.