The Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara CSR initiative was launched twenty-five years ago to provide assistance to schoolchildren facing many hardships in carrying out their education due to economic difficulties.
This is because Munchee as a local brand firmly believes that any kind of contribution made for the education of children is not only a future investment but also a foundation for ensuring the sustainability, a company official said.
During the past 25 years, the program has been a strong helping hand for many needy school children living in all parts of Sri Lanka to continue their education. The number of students who have been supported to light up their lives through the educational assistance initiative exceeds three thousand up to now. Among them are students who have received assistance for pursuing their studies right up to the university level from year five, represent every community of people living in this country.
The value of the assistance provided during the past twenty five years through this CSR Initiative is estimated to be over Rs. 50 million. The program is recognised as one of the largest educational support initiatives implemented by a private sector organisation in Sri Lanka and has received many accolades for its service towards the education of children.
One feature of this CSR initiative is that it facilitates the close rapport and relationship with the beneficiaries to maintain greater flexibility for offering more tailor-made facilities. Munchee Field Sales Force spreaded all over the country also provide a tremendous support towards the success of the program. To mark the 25th anniversary of the program, an event was held at the Munchee factory premises in Pannipitiya recently. 50 selected schoolchildren from all parts of the country were selected to award Tikiri Shishyadara for their education. Many valuable and useful gifts including books, school equipment, school bags and gift parcels were also presented to those selected Shisyadara recipients at a cost of Rupees two million under the sponsorship of Munchee.
The distribution of the Shishyadara and other prizes was done under the patronage of CBL Group Chairman Ramya Wickramasingha. The board members and senior management of the company were also present.
CBL Director / Chief Executive Officer Nalin B. Karunaratne said that giving hands and hearts for education always gets priority among Munchee community care programs. Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara Program stands out among all such programs and it is indeed a pleasure to be able to continue it for 25 consecutive years despite various challenges.
It is a matter of great satisfaction that thousands of Shishyadara recipients have enlightened their lives and become useful citizens for the country. He said that a significant number of these beneficiaries have already become professionals such as doctors, engineers, accountants, lecturers and teachers and are serving the society. It was also a special privilege for the students who participated at the Munchee Tikiri Shishyadara distribution event to get an understanding of biscuit production through the newly opened viewing gallery at the company.