Banking on IT- HSBC staff get active in Seenigama

Arundhaka and Rajiv from the HSBC Treasury Department visited Seenigama on the 23rd January with the intention of doing some good work for humanity. Having seen the incredible work that is happening in Seenigama they were able to secure a donation of 500,000 LKR (US$4300) from HSBC Sri Lanka to maintain the MCC Centre of Excellence IT Training Centre for the year.


But not wishing only to contribute financially, the HSBC team wanted to also lend a hand personally towards the development of the rural communities.


A team of staff and partners got together to return to Seenigama on 8th May 2010.


In an official ceremony, HSBC staff presented the cheque for 500K in an official manner at the MCC Centre of Excellence Computer Training Centre during a class, as they wanted to see the students in action. The Computer Training Centre staff and students gave a short informative sector slide presentation showing the work and achievements over the last few years, including the graduation of 300 students every year since 2007.


The Computer Training Centre was one of the first sectors to be opened in the Marylebone Cricket Club sponsored MCC Centre of Excellence, in 2006. Building on opportunities provided to rural children and youth before the tsunami, this centre provides up to date equipment, quality training and practical sessions to build essential skills. Graduates of these courses, including Introduction to IT, Graphic Design and Web Design, have gone on to employment or self employment with new confidence in their abilities to compete with their urban peers.



The main activities of the day were the beach cleaning and tree planting. HSBC made a donation towards gloves, bags and other essential equipment. The team headed to the beach, including Kushil Gunasekera (FoG Founder/ Trustee), Youth Goodness Members, Dilip (FoG Environment Management sector coordinator) and the HSBC group along with their corporate customers.



Fazana, IT Sector Manager, reports “The Beach cleaning came to an end at around 12pm and we drove to Seenigama Sports Academy for the planting campaign. It was a fun activity for all of us. It was well planned ahead; holes were dug and we only had to place the plant along with compost fertilizer and close the hole with soil. Plants such as Water Apple (Rose apple), Sour Sop, Mango, Guava, Rambutan were planted with excitement as some of them have never planted a tree. I was more interested in knowing when the harvest will be enjoyed and insisted that I get the harvest!”

A typical village lunch followed, served in the Sports Club House, overlooking the beautiful Sri Wimala Buddhi MV Seenigama Oval.




Kushil was pleased to be able to spend the day with the team and praised their hard work, compassion and willingness to set the example for other corporate groups to follow. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an essential aspect of modern business, and through partnerships with organisations such as the Foundation of Goodness, companies can have firsthand experience of giving back to those most in need to build a better future and a strong nation. “With this work and this generous gesture from HSBC many young people will benefit long into the future. We thank and commend HSBC staff and partners for their foresight and kindness and look forward to a fruitful relationship that will add value to our effort to uplift the lives of rural children and youth.”

2010.06.14