Union Bank’s ‘Back-to-School’ initiative supports over 700 flood-affected schoolchildren

Union Bank’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) committee together with the bank’s Southern and Sabaragamuwa regional offices and the sports club of the bank extended a relief programme recently, towards the schoolchildren affected by the severe weather conditions that struck the island recently.  
The relief project themed Back to School was conducted in line with the bank’s key CSR focus of elevating the lives of children and youth. With this project, the bank reached out to over 700 schoolchildren in two schools in Ratnapura and Akuressa – two of the most affected areas. 
Two deserving schools were identified with the involvement of the bank’s branches in these two areas where the floods have cost the communities their livelihoods and belongings, thus making the children’s education prospects bleak and vulnerable. Through the bank’s Back to School initiative, the bank intended to support and encourage these children to overcome their dire circumstances and return to school to resume their studies as early as possible.  
In order to support the schoolchildren to resume their studies, a comprehensive pack of books and stationery items were provided along with school shoes to all children in the two selected schools. 
Phase one the Back to School project was implemented at Athuraliya Central College in Akuressa, one of the leading schools in the area, in which over 90 percent of children had been affected by the floods. 
The second phase of project was completed at R/Haldola Primary School in Ratnapura.  
The two programmes, which were coordinated with the assistance of the school principals and staff members, were also attended by the bank’s staff, including staff members of the regional offices and the respective branches. This CSR initiative of the bank was also supported by the donations made by the bank’s staff members.