29 June 2016 12:00 am Views - 1707
The evening was crisp and cool with the softest of breezes brushing our faces. The darkened sky was decorated with the crescent moon and the sparkle of stars.
Before us the residents, both young and old, of Rathmalgahawewa - a village, deep in the heart of Anuradhapura, showcased their many talents on the stage set for them. Older villagers danced with gusto while the fluid movements of their younger village members and one girl’s hauntingly beautiful voice which rose into the night sky, had the audience mesmerized.
However, despite the serenity of the temple grounds and the beaming faces of the children surrounding us, there was an underlyingsense of loss and tragedy. Just a week before, a family had lost their father who succumbed to the dreaded Chronic Kidney Failure (CKD).Hayleys Fabricin a bid to lessen their burden gave the son and daughter he left behind, scholarships for their education. The devastating reality of CKD was so palpable in this seemingly idyllic little village. The joy and relief of the residents at receiving this truly life-giving water was equally tangible. It might have been too late for those who couldn’t make it but to those who survived, new life, renewed hope and a future with their families isnow made possible with Hayleys Puritas Sath Diyawara.
For most of us drinking water, is abundantly available and at times taken for granted. However to many, in certain parts of the country this most basic of human needs is a luxury they cannot afford.
Hayleys, strategically chose Puritas Sath Diyawaraas its Flagship CSR project due to the increasing prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), particularly in the North Central Province of the country.
CKD is estimated to have affected around 400,000 individuals (roughly 10-15 percent of the population in the areas) and has claimed more than 22,000 lives and is found to be spreading rapidly to Northern, North Western, Eastern and Uva Provinces. In addition to this loss of life, it is estimated that approximately 2.8 million people are at risk of contracting this deadly disease.
Hayleys Puritas Sath Diyawara, was initiated and launched by Puritas, a subsidiary of the Purification Sector of Hayleys, and nowmultiple sectors of the Hayleys Groupsponsor the project, greatly extending its scale and impact, with the most recent project being sponsored by Hayleys Fabric. The objective of Puritas Sath Diyawara is to combat the rising prevalence of CKD by leveraging the Company’s expertise in water purification,to prevent further spread of the disease whilst reversing the conditions of the existing patients.
Puritas Sath Diyawara has reached sixteen villages and now helps over 25,000 people in CKD affected areas in the North and North Central provinces. To date, the Group has invested over Rs. 44 million and commissioned 11 Reverse Osmosis plants which provide access to 110,000 liters of purified water per day. In recognition of these efforts Puritas Sath Diyawara was awarded the Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Awards in 2015.