The SriLankan Airlines’ Environment Unit successfully concluded another subproject under its master Upcycle Project by donating repurposed wheelchairs to the residents of the Sarana Buddhist Foundation’s home for the elderly on 11 February 2022. The donation of wheelchairs was complemented with a further contribution of essential items to the home by staff members of SriLankan Airlines and through the collective team efforts of the Human Resources (HR) Division and SriLankan Cares, the community development arm of the Airline.
The donated wheelchairs were assembled completely by a team of volunteer staff members from the Ramp Services Department of SriLankan. The materials used to build and restore the wheelchairs were also sourced internally from the Airline’s Scrap Yard, Properties and Ramp Workshops. Consequently, several dedicated teams of staff volunteers have been able to ingeniously help improve the mobility, and in turn the quality of life for a group of needy senior citizens simply by putting their skills and desire to help others to good use.
The Sarana Buddhist Foundation’s facility is home to 20 senior citizens who have been neglected by society and are lacking in access to care and the necessities of life. The home is managed by a local Buddhist temple and relies on donations from giving people in the community to sustain operations. Therefore, the residents and management team of the home alike were excited and grateful for the arrival of the wheelchairs, and ultimately the gift of mobility for those who are mobility impaired.
The SriLankan Environmental Unit, SriLankan Cares and HR Engagement Unit collaboratively carry out projects of this nature on a regular basis as part of the Airline’s overall responsibility to uplift and enrich the nation by supporting its disadvantaged communities. Past projects have included providing personality development programmes to school children; community support programmes for youth; and sustainability education for coastal communities. With many similar projects in the works, the SriLankan Environmental Unit is looking ahead to continue its journey of making a positive change in the environment and local communities of Sri Lanka.
For more information about the SriLankan Environmental Unit visit: www.srilankan.com/environment
Picture 1 – Handing the repurposed wheelchairs and daily essentials to Sarana Buddhist Foundation
Picture 2 – Representatives from SriLankan Airlines and volunteers from Ananda Balika National School who were involved in the project
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SriLankan Airlines
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