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| Sunday, 20 June 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Succeeding against all odds by Wilhelm Milhuisen For Premadasa Jayasuriya, his wife and little daughter of eight years, it was a moment of profound joy. His hard work, hopes and dreams had come true with a bonus to delight his family.
Jayasuriya won recognition and respect as an entrepreneur, manufacturing washing soap under the brand name "Nuwan".
The Management Club The samaritans behind Jayasuriya's victory were a group of over four-hundred and fifty caring and sharing management personalities who, together, form the nucleus of The Management Club (TMC) under the auspices of the Chartered Management Institute - UK. A committee was set up by TMC titled "Enable the Disabled-Make Sri Lanka Disabled Friendly" in short ETD, under the social accountability banner. The Chairperson steering and guiding the course of this Committee's Vision and Mission is Charmaine Vanderhoven, a Director of Executive Search Ltd. a consultancy service. This Committee has been instrumental, not only in securing a place of work and livelihood for many of the disabled but also for its dedicated concern in enabling the disabled to regain their self-respect and self-worth. TMC has proved that the handicapped carry creditworthiness, have value and worth and do not depend on handout. It has broken away from the tradition of giving and forgetting the disabled, accepting them as part and parcel of our society. Seeking and implementing Practical Answers To Poverty is the key to solving the problems of the disabled. This view, shared by Jayantha Arambepola - General Manager Marketing at The Finance, is echoed by members of the TMC. And as in the case of Jayasuriya, the loan of Rs. 25,000 given to expand his business and improve his communication facilities with prospective buyers, will support him all the way. The ETD committee, redesigned the brand, assisted by one of its members Senaka Premaratne. They also gifted Jayasuriya a mobile phone to increase his market network, helped develop business plans are identifying distribution channels and will continue to guide Jayasuriya to become a businessman in his own right, then move on. The meeting, appropriately presented by Social Accountability Committee of the Management Club held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel on May 27 brought together a mix of personalities in corporate business, heads of the development with the Disabled Network, the National Council for the Blind and the I.T.D.G. organisation for South Asia- headquartered in the United Kingdom. The presentations of their ideas were varied and many, but the focus always remained clear; :Let's Enable the Disabled towards a Disabled Friendly Nation! Let's treat them with dignity and care, create an environment that is conducive to their development despite their disabilities, let's create awareness using music as a powerful medium to stir those who are healthy and whole into accepting these people with a new perspective! Concerts, exhibitions, workshops - the list of possibilities with immense potential did not stop there. It stimulated more and more possibilities for more than 1.7 million disabled in this country! Bridge of hope Voices of inspiration was conceived as a response to the growing sense of helplessness amongst the disabled and marginalized in our society. Several leading bands, musical groups and solo artistes have come together to lend their talents to create awareness, inspire hope and confidence in the hearts of people regardless of caste, race, creed and ideology. The Concert, a musical presentation with a difference, to be held at the BMICH will impact audiences of all age groups and focus attention on social concerns, and issues of the disabled of our nation in particular. The program will also create disability awareness of the issues of differently - abled people, integrate disabled and able bodied people. The Management Club will partner this 'concept with a difference' and see it through successfully. |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
His heartfelt words of thanks to those who had run the race with him in
his task, were clear, carrying hope and encouragement to all those who
would consider themselves worthy and valuable in the face of despair and
rejection by society because they were disabled - unable to fit into the
"list" of societies demanding criteria and stamp of approval for
'normal' human beings.
His daughter won a scholarship under the 'Shishyadara' scheme offered
to her by Ceylon Biscuits Ltd. He set the milestone for others like him
who were completely blind and disabled. His achievement only reflected the
courage and determination to compete and succeed in a hard, unforgiving
and often uncompromising world!
