29 March 2018 12:00 am
Engaged in community service for several decades, the MLSC is responsible for the establishment of a vocational centre at Kahatowita in Attanagalle, serving the community over the past 10 years. The women and children in Kahatowita were duly benefitted under the patronage of the MLSC. As the numbers grew, the need for a more spacious building was communicated to the ladies at the wheel.
Business tycoon and well-known philanthropist, Alhaj Ellyas Careem responded positively to this need as he believed charity should be done in a constructive manner.
With a Rs.40 million donation from Careem, a three-storey building was erected for the new vocational training centre. Speaking at the humble opening ceremony, MLSC President Mrs. Ameena Faisz Musthapha said empowering women of the rural hamlets was one of the circle’s key objectives. “Our vision is to give women skills so they could gain not only economic independence but also the confidence they need to secure their place in society,” she said. “10 years ago, we commenced our first MLSC vocational training centre in Kahatowita in rented premises. We had no regret in investing our efforts at this centre as we found the teachers and the committee were very diligent and hardworking.”
“The teachers who conduct these classes have been trained at our headquarters in Colombo. They will be conducting classes in cookery, dressmaking, embroidery, cake icing, machine embroidery, computer studies, English and Thajweed. The MLSC Colombo has come forward to provide this centre with all necessary furniture and equipment for these courses,” a committee member of the MLSC said.
In addition to vocational training, the community has also come together to engage in various community outreach programmes such as tutoring students for the scholarship examination and free medical clinics. The new building will be instrumental in reaching out to women in surrounding areas such as Udugoda, Thihariya, Pasyala, Attanagalla, Pugoda, Kal-eliya, Algama and Orchadwatte.
The Kahatowita vocational training centre educates some 150 ladies at present. The young and the old are enrolled in various programmes ranging from cookery to embroidery and craftwork designed to help them embark on self-employment ventures. The objective is to empower young girls and women to be self-sufficient and also to support their families.
15-year-old Faliha Falrik, who is enrolled in a computer studies programme, hopes to complete her course while attending school. “Through the vocational training course, I can support myself when I need to in the future,” she said eagerly.
Juraisa Jamaldeen, a young lady of 24 years, is a student at the Colombo University’s School of Computing. However, she has enrolled for courses in cookery and
Munawar Alhaj Fayaz, a senior Kahatowita committee member said the village had endured numerous difficulties in the past. He noted however, through the amity, dedication and perseverance of the villagers, they have been able to overcome many hardships and become an exemplary village. “The new vocational training centre premises will empower not only the ladies of our community but our community as a whole,” he opined.
Vocational training centres sponsored by the MLSC have been established in Colombo, Galle, Panadura and Weligama. These centres have thus far produced approximately 7,500 qualified and capable women. The new vocational training centre building in Kahatowita not only empowers women but also ensures the continuity of education and quality vocational training for many deserving women in society.