Pubudugama gets water: Thanks to Brandix, Lanka Walltile
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Anusha Alles, Head of CSR at Brandix at the commissioning of the
water supply scheme at Pubudugama.
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Years of trekking arid paths to a reservoir for their water has come
to an end for some 400 families in a remote hamlet in Sri Lanka's dry
zone, after the country's top apparel exporter Brandix spearheaded an
initiative to build a water supply scheme for their community.
A 60,000 litre concrete overhead water tank now stands proud in the
middle of the village of Pubudugama in the Polonnaruwa District,
testimony to the combined resources of two corporate donors, Brandix and
Lanka Walltile PLC and the villagers themselves, who raised Rs. 1
million and provided labour for the project. Costing Rs. 3.9 million,
the project comprises of an eight metre well, a pump house, the overhead
tank and the pipeline that brings the water to it. Potable water is now
available on tap in the village, and it is expected that a distribution
network that will take the water to individual homes will be built by
the beneficiaries themselves at a later stage.
"This project exemplifies what can be achieved by working in
partnership with the beneficiary community," said Anusha Alles, Head of
CSR at Brandix. "The villagers rose to the occasion, justifying our
faith in them and buying into the project."
She said Lanka Walltile had donated the materials required for the
construction, while the Brandix Group had contributed the balance funds
required and coordinated the work.
"We were happy to partner with Brandix Lanka on this project as we
saw Pubudugama villagers in dire need of drinking water with nobody to
help them. What is unique here is that the villagers themselves became
key stakeholders by contributing finances that made a difference to the
project, as otherwise it would have become unsustainable in the long
run. Now we are confident that this scheme will function properly in the
long run as the users themselves are stakeholders.
We are indeed happy to be of help to this village that had endured
many trials and tribulations during the years of war," Mahendra
Jayasekera, Managing Director of Lanka Walltile PLC said. |
