Baby Cheramy Big Heart Project reaches out to those in need

Hidden from the hustle and bustle of the towns and busy streets in the Western Province of Sri Lanka, is the Diddeniya Primary School in Pahathagama. The school provides education to 180 children and is the sole institute to provide a learning platform for the children of this area.

Many students in this school are faced with harsh living conditions due to poverty, lacking even the basic resources that make up for a healthy upbringing. Many of their parents or care givers struggle to sustain a livelihood and the harsh effects of paucity, are strongly felt by the children of these families.  

Although located in the Western Province, there is an acute shortage of basic resources and supplies in the Diddeniya Primary School. But despite a lack of resources and proper facilities, the school has professionally sustained its education program over the years through the commitment of its staff.  

Under the Big Heart Project, the corporate social responsibility program by Baby Cheramy, the Diddeniya Primary School was provided with essential learning stationery supplies recently. Baby Cheramy gift packs and food items were also handed over to the school. The books and stationery donated to this school were contributed by both Baby Cheramy and the general public. Through a special ‘Big Heart Project’ stall at the recently-concluded Colombo International Book Fair, Baby Cheramy drove awareness about the importance of education for children and encouraged thousands of people who visited the fair to donate books and stationery to children in need.

‘The Big Heart Project’ was launched earlier this year to mark the brand’s 50 years in the country. In partnership with the Department of Probation and Child Care Services of the Ministry of Child Development and Women’s Affairs, ‘The Big Heart Project’ aims to promote education among children in Sri Lanka.

The primary ambition of the ‘Big Heart Project’ is to fund the education of disadvantaged children from across the country during the crucial first five years of schooling. Baby Cheramy this year pledged to fund the education of disadvantaged children from grades one to five by contributing 50 cents from every Baby Cheramy product sold.

Speaking at the handover ceremony at the Diddeniya Primary School, Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Probation and Child Care Services, Nirmali Priyangani Kumarage stated, “Education is the most important aspect of a child’s life. If a child receives a sound education, he or she will not only be guaranteed a better future but will also be a responsible citizen of the country.” She thanked Baby Cheramy for donating the much-needed supplies for the school and added, “This donation will enrich the lives of these children and we are very thankful for it.”

Adding to these sentiments, group product manager at Hemas, Shiranaaz Kaney stated, “As a part of ‘The Big Heart Project’, we will continue to look into the welfare and well-being of the children of our country, by providing schools with the necessities required for the sound education of these children.” She pointed out that this donation was a timely one as it was carried out to coincide with the United Nation’s (UN) first ever ‘International Day of the Girl Child’ held on 11October.

Joining hands with the principal at the handing-over ceremony held at the Diddeniya Primary School of Diddeniya Primary School W.A. Wijegunawardena, were other representatives of the Hemas Holdings: Deputy commissioner of the department of Probation and Child Care Services Nirmali Priyangani Kumarage, Group Product Manager Shiranaaz Kaney, Senior Manager-Marketing Services Sajith Mudalige, and Brand Manager Sandrien Zahir.