January 2007 

In January Awareness programmes were held on Micro Finance in Pitipana and Mattakkuliya. The themes of the programmes were how to improve the quality of their products, loan systems, repayments and for Leaders of Groups on how to interchange products within the groups and the impact of the recent exhibition on their sales.

24 persons participated at this event.

Also in January an awareness programme on protecting the environment was held at Sapugaskanda attended by 20 persons on how to make compost fertilizer and to devise a plan on how to obtain garbage barrels from the Divisional Secretariat at concessional rates

Three Awareness programmes were also held on forming new groups and Peoples Organizations in the suburbs of Colombo mainly to instill leadership qualities and strengthen the activities of the disadvantaged. A total of 59 persons attended these sessions.

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February 2007

An awareness programme was held at the Jubilee Hall Colombo on 2 February attended by 20 group members from the Greater Colombo areas on Micro Credit finance. The awareness centered around a practical knowledge on Business Management, abilities to formulate new business concepts and identifying energetic persons capable of developing capabilities to handle Income Generating projects.

A Workshop was held from 6 to 10 February at the National Training & Planning Centre, Battaramulla on Business Management, Business Counseling etc in relation to Income Generating Programmes. This was followed by field training from 17 to 21 February. There were five participants.

The trainees received certificates which are said to be recognized internationally.

Sessions were also held in Gampaha on 18 February for 50 members on group networking in the social, economic and cultural sectors and an awareness on how to solicit help from State Institutions. The Parish Priest and a Member of Parliament of the area also attended.

Under the Environment protection programme a practical training was provided to 49 persons residing in towns north of the Greater Colombo area to produce compost manure supervised by personnel from a Training Centre.

These persons received compost making barrels free of charge from the Government Agent and were also given practical hints on garbage management. The event was held on 14 February.

A medical camp was organized by the 64 Lions Club of Colombo at Mabima. The animators assisted this camp and were able to obtain free medical help for 12 of their group members The camp was held on 28 February.