Fonterra Brands Lanka and Childfund reach out to underprivileged families
As part of its ongoing commitment to improving the health and well-being of communities, Fonterra Brands Lanka has partnered with international child development organisation, Childfund to increase the capabilities of specialised health and nutrition services for underprivileged children aged 0-5 years and their families. The joint programme will support nutrition, children's health and educational activities at Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) centres, located in the Polonnaruwa district for an initial 12month period.
This includes improving ECCD buildings and facilities through providing learning materials, equipment and meals, offering home gardening starter kits and advice, as well as support funding for staff to reach out to parents and support networks.
Volunteers from Fonterra Brands Lanka will also work closely with Childfund's team of aid-workers in Sri Lanka to exchange knowledge and resources around the areas of nutrition, pediatric and maternal health to create a network of best practice that benefits communities.
Fonterra Brands Lanka and Childfund staff joined together at the Sirimavo ECCD Centre in Polonnaruwa to launch the partnership with Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena the Guest of Honour, at the event.
Managing Director of Fonterra Brands Lanka, Achyut Kasireddy said, "Fonterra Brands Lanka aims to continually contribute to the nation in the areas of nutrition, community development and farmer development. We are delighted to be able to strengthen our commitment to mothers and children across Sri Lanka through our relationship with Childfund."
Mr. Kasireddy, added, "Childfund has an admirable track-record for its work in Sri Lanka and we hope that through our support, the organisation will be able to further devel- op the ECCD services it offers to children and their caregivers to change the lives of more people in Polonnaruwa."
Sri Lanka is one of the 54 countries that Childfund International operates in, delivering comprehensive programmes incorporating early childhood care and development, health, nutrition, education, youth career guidance and skills development. Childfund's programmes currently assist 33,650 children and youth in 12 districts across the country.
Childfund's Country Director, Mr. Guru Naik stated, "At Childfund we work for the wellbeing of all children in the communities we operate in. This includes assisting in the physical and cognitive development of children while also educating and training parents and caregivers. We are pleased that Fonterra Brands Lanka has partnered with us in this initiative and are supporting our efforts to ensure the all-round growth and development of children in the project areas."