USAID Public-Private Partnerships create job opportunities for people with disabilities

Saturday, 16 July 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Assistant U.S. Secretaries of State Nisha Biswal and Tom Malinowski on Thursday visited the facilities of Arumbugal Foundation (Guarantee) Ltd., one of the many organisations supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to carry out projects supporting economic growth across Sri Lanka. Provided a Rs. 18 million ($142,000) matching investment grant from the USAID BIZ+ program, Arumbugal Foundation provides training and employment for people with disabilities to establish tourism and transportation businesses.

“This is just one example of how U.S.-Sri Lankan partnerships make a real difference in the lives of people in this country,” said Assistant Secretary Biswal. “For people with disabilities, public-private projects like this truly enrich lives, both economically and socially, by offering them a way to support themselves independently.”

USAID’s investments included building improvements, a handicap accessible transport bus, and support for the handicraft production center. With support from the BIZ+ program, Arumbugal has created three revenue streams that are used to support its social objectives.

USAID’s BIZ+ program has committed approximately Rs. 1.42 billion ($9.8 million) to small enterprises in economically-lagging regions of Sri Lanka. The program’s activities were expanded in 2015 and now partners with 47 businesses, who have in turn invested two times the amount committed by USAID.

“So many people in this community now have a chance to work and succeed,” said Krishnaa Arumbugal. “It gives them confidence and respect to lead more rewarding lives.”