Agrapathana Plantations Limited and World Vision Lanka collaborate in development activities

Agrapathana Plantations Limited and World Vision Lanka (WVL) recently signed two Memoranda of Understanding to implement development activities in selected estates belonging to Agrapathana Plantations in the Nuwara Eliya District.

The Director/CEO of Lankem Tea and Rubber Plantations (Pvt) Ltd., Ranjith Pieris, Director – Marketing and Administration G D V Perera signed the MOU on behalf of Agrapathana Plantations while the signatory from World Vision was the National Director Suresh Bartlett. This event was held at the Board Room of the Lankem Plantation House in Colombo 01 in the presence of senior management representatives of both organisations.

These MOUs will be in effect till 2016 and will pave the way for the implementation of Nuwara Eliya Area Development Programme activities relating to Education, Health, Community Development and Economic Opportunities in estates under the purview of Agrapathana Plantations. The construction of houses for one estate community that lost their houses due to a fire will also be completed through this programme.

World Vision’s signature approach to fighting poverty and transforming lives is achieved by Area Development Programs (ADPs) that operate in clearly defined geographical areas. ADPs typically run for 10 to 15 years and this enables World Vision to build strong relationships with community members and to lay solid foundations that can bring about lasting positive changes.

The project will foster intentional partnerships between government, plantation management, and community organisations; build capacity of the respective stakeholders; and especially engage women and other vulnerable community members in program decision-making to promote good governance, address the root causes of conflict, and lay the foundation for peaceful coexistence.

Recent surveys have indicated that the district of Nuwara Eliya, is among the most disadvantaged districts in Sri Lanka with significant levels of poverty and poor health and nutrition statistics. Although home to abundant water sources, its water and sanitation access is the lowest in the country.

World Vision Lanka has a long history of working in the Plantation Sector. Its Ambagamuwa Area Development Programme (ADP) commenced nearly 15 years ago in 1997. The organisation has expanded its programmes to Nuwara Eliya, Bogawantalawa , Pathana and Walapane in recent years.