Kapruka launches groundbreaking charity initiative

Sri Lanka’s largest e-commerce organisation, Kapruka.com has launched a groundbreaking charitable initiative, ‘Round-Off’, which aims to help thousands of destitute people across the country. The program, believed to be the first of its kind to be launched in Sri Lanka, allows customers who log onto the Kapruka website to purchase gifts to be sent to their loved ones in Sri Lanka, and the option of making a small donation at checkout, which amounts to a few US cents, to be given out to charity.

Launched in November this year, the program has received phenomenal response, says Kapruka’s founder and Chief Executive Officer Dulith Herath.

Explaining the initiative, Herath noted that once the customer purchases a product and completes the transaction, and the total bill for example comes to US$ 18.65, the charity program allows the buyer to click the ‘Round-Off’ option and complete the transaction at US$ 19, with the balance US$ 35 cents going out to charity.

“We didn’t expect such a phenomenal response, but since this was launched a few weeks ago, over 20 per cent of our buyers have been selecting this option,” he disclosed.

 At the moment, buyers do not have the facility to donate more, but Herath is looking at providing an additional option where customers can donate more, following the overwhelming response the initiative has received.

“Kapruka has always been in the forefront in spearheading various CSR initiatives, and we thought this would be yet another unique initiative to give back, and I am most pleased with the response we have received so far. It is very encouraging to see how many people want to give back, even in the smallest way possible,” he added.

As Sri Lanka’s largest online shop, majority of Kapruka’s customers are expatriates from Australia, Europe and North America, who use the website to send gifts to family and friends on important occasions.

“The fact that all transactions are made via foreign currency, primarily in US dollars, gives this charity yet another distinct advantage,” Herath added.

Explaining what they will be doing once sufficient funds are collected, the CEO of Kapruka emphasised that every month they will launch various initiatives to help either individuals or groups depending on their requirement. “With the collection we have made from the first month, the company has decided to donate heart equipment costing over Rs. 400,000 to a patient, who needs the machine for life support,” Herath added.

To keep employees of all Kapruka branches on the donation loop, Herath has also launched a digital chime across the offices, so whenever a donation is made via the ‘Round-Off’ program, a bell is chimed digitally across the offices, so employees are aware of the donation.

“Rather than announcing the final collection to employees at the end of the month, it is more motivating to keep them on the loop at all times, informing them whenever a donation is made,” he added.  

Kapruka was founded in 2003, and at present has a workforce of over 200 skilled employees. Kapruka has forged partnerships with over 300 renowned brand names and offers quintessentially Sri Lankan products of the highest quality on its award winning online shop setting the bar high with the highest standards in Sri Lanka’s e-commerce market.