Pizza Hut, ChildFund and Social Services Dept. empower people with disabilities in Sri Lanka

First pizza being made by one of the trainees, at the newly-inaugurated Industrial Food Technology Unit

Gamma Pizzakraft Lanka Ltd., presently the single franchisee for Pizza Hut and Taco Bell in Sri Lanka, has partnered with ChildFund Sri Lanka and the Department of Social Services in Sri Lanka, to improve the economic engagement of youth with disabilities, especially girls with disabilities, in quality vocational training programs in a safe and conducive environment. 

This partnership has led to the inauguration of an industrial food technology unit and renovation of the accommodation facilities for Girls with disabilities at the Vocational Training Centre, Amunukumbura, on 11 February.

This mega-project is being executed under the concept of ‘An Equal Slice For Everyone,’ which is the social purpose of Pizza Hut International. The iconic brand is committed to equity, opportunity and unity taking a locally led yet globally connected approach, with a clear-cut focus on its people, customers and communities. 

Pizza Hut focuses on caring for all who are part of its journey – the people who work for the business, the customers who patronise the brand and the communities within which it prospers. This project promotes the spirit of togetherness and creates a bigger vision of being much more than just a food and beverage brand.

To contribute to this collective vision, ChildFund Sri Lanka has enrolled girls with disabilities and has widened the streams available for training and quality of teaching. The Department of Social Service intends to make the Persons with Disability (PWD) community, active stakeholders, by unlocking their fullest potential to aid national economic development. 

Pizza Hut Sri Lanka has established an industrial food technology unit at the vocational centre with a state-of-the-art kitchen consisting of the latest equipment, with the prime objective of providing these individuals a comprehensive curriculum, ranging from food and beverage, hygiene and food safety standards to proficiency in English. This would be a two-year program where they would be trained under the leadership and guidance of skilled trainers and the staff of Pizza Hut. 

Upon the successful completion of the two-year course at this food technology unit, graduates will be employed within the Pizza Hut chain or with other socially responsible entities in the country, with whom discussions have already been initiated. 

Gamma Pizzakraft Lanka Managing Director Amar Raj Singh said, “Social and economic inclusion go hand in hand. It is very critical that the efforts and investments being made by the Government and NGOs, are given the last mile opportunity by businesses across Sri Lanka, to create employability, add value and provide economic upliftment to those with difficulties and the marginalized sections of society. We at Gamma Lanka are very happy and privileged to be partners in this great effort across the country. ‘An Equal Slice For Everyone’ is a symbol of shared opportunity through focused skills development and understanding. It is very encouraging to see the positive response we have received across the industry and from our own employees. We look forward to rolling this program across Sri Lanka.”

ChildFund India and Sri Lanka Country Director Neelam Makhijani said, “We are excited to launch this very unique project which highlights our partnership with the private sector and the government, on the same platform.  Together, we have combined our resources and skills to ensure greater opportunities for youth with disabilities, to support the first batch of 30 young women who will benefit from this new pizza making module as part of their vocational training course. Thereafter, 20-30 young women with disabilities will be enrolled annually for the course. The newly renovated buildings, accommodation and sanitation facilities and support through soft skills training provided by ChildFund Sri Lanka will also contribute to eliminating employment barriers for these youth with disabilities and improve their lives. ChildFund is thankful to Gamma Pizzakraft Lanka and the Department of Social Services for their collaboration to equip these young adults with skills to overcome challenges and inspire positive change creating a better future not just for themselves, but for their families and communities.”   

The inauguration of the food technology unit at the vocational training centre at Amunukumbura is the first step of many to come. Gamma Pizzakraft Lanka envisions being a part of this journey with more centres being planned in the near future right across Sri Lanka, providing the community with a definite sense of achievement, pride and social inclusion.

Gamma Pizzakraft Lanka CEO Yasa Nadaraja added, “Pizza Hut’s Social Purpose theme ‘An Equal Slice for Everyone’ exemplifies our involvement to help people with disabilities to be gainfully employed, thus bridging the gaps the community currently faces. This initiative, in partnership with equally passionate, like-minded organizations is a step in the right direction to create a positive change in the community. We are extremely humbled and privileged to inaugurate this project and look forward to implementing more such initiatives in time to come.”

Gamma Pizzakraft Lanka Human Resources Director Kaushal Mendis said, “Access to employment is recognised as a fundamental human right in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In Sri Lanka, the proportion of persons with disabilities participating in the labour market is at a bare minimum level for various reasons. As a responsible corporate citizen, our focus is to create social impact by enabling the PWDs through formal vocational education. We will also create inclusive work environments where, PWDs will be empowered and won’t feel ‘different’ at work. We firmly believe that our efforts will not only improve the quality of life of persons with disability but also promote and safeguard equality, self-determination, dignity and social inclusion of such persons. We thank ChildFund Sri Lanka and the Department of Social Services for collaborating with us in taking a giant step for the progress of this initiative. We keenly look forward to continuing this partnership in time to come.” 

Department of Social Services Director Chandana Ranaweera Arachchi added, “Under the guidance of the Minister and Secretary, State Ministry of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control the Department of Social Services conducts vocational training for persons with disabilities, in order to socially integrate them as a dignified citizen. Towards achieving this partnership arrangement, Child Fund Sri Lanka and Gamma Pizzakraft Lanka have collaborated with the Department of Social Services and marks a milestone today. In this special occasion I would like to express my gratitude and heart-felt wishes for all who have contributed.”

Fully operational state-of-the-art kitchen facility to give a hands-on training experience

State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control Secretary Dr. Amal Harsha, Gampaha District Secretary Sunil Jayalath, and Department of Social Services Director Chandana Ranaweera Arachchi opening the newly-renovated accommodation facility for girls with disabilities

Newly renovated accommodation facility for girls with disabilities

Representatives of Gamma Pizzakraft Lanka (Pizza Hut), ChildFund Sri Lanka, Department of Social Services, Voice Area Federation and Department of Disability Studies, Faculty of Medicine (University of Kelaniya) at the press briefing. From left: Kaushal Mendis (Pizza Hut), Dinantha Thambavita (ChildFund Sri Lanka), Chandana Ranaweera Arachchi (Department of Social Services), Wasantha Pushpakumara (Voice Area Federation) and Isuru Dharmarathna (Department of Disability Studies, Faculty of Medicine)