Berendina receives award from Sri Lanka United Nations Friendship Organisation

Youth with placards at the SUNFO workshop

Berendina Development Services (BDS) received the Institutional Excellence Service award from the Sri Lanka United Nations Friendship Organisation (SUNFO) recently. 
This award was presented to Berendina at a special workshop and prize giving ceremony organised by the SUNFO to concur with the Global Goals for Sustainable Development Action Day that fell on September 24, 2015. The SUNFO selected five institutions from five provinces that have partnered with it in educating and promoting UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development among schoolchildren and youth.
Berendina hosted a special workshop for the schoolchildren and youth living in the Sabaragamuwa Province organised by the SUNFO to educate on the importance of these global goals for sustainable development. This workshop was held recently at Malki Reception Hall in Yatiyanthota. More than 110 schoolchildren and youth actively participated in this workshop. SUNFO Director General Action/2015 Asia Steering Committee Member Peace Ambassador delivered the keynote speech.  
Dr. Wijetunge said that 193 world leaders who gathered in New York in September committed to 17 global goals to achieve three extraordinary things in the next 15 years (2015-2030). In addition, Berendina Manager Prasanjith, NYSC Regional Manager Sathsirpaya and motivational speaker Pushpakurmari and many others spoke. 
erendina and SUNFO also organised a similar workshop at St. Anthony’ Hall,  Batticaloa on October 3, 2015 educating school children and youth on global goals for sustainable development. Participating youth learned the global goals for sustainable development including no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, peace and justice strong institutions and partnership for the goals. Around 120 were recipients of Berendina Bright Students educational scholarship.  In addition, it is assisting SUNFO children’s home in Bentara Elpitiya with a new refrigerator and indoor and outdoor games for children. Further, Berendina is also partnering Dharmavaini Foundation to commence a computer/TV-driven extra classes for children of this home.