The Village Adoption Project is aimed at integrated village development through self-reliance and capacity building, towards tackling rural poverty in a sustainable manner.

The pilot project under this initiative was the village of Halmillawe – a hamlet located in the North Central Province about 20 km from Habarana along the Palugaswewa–Kekirawa road – with a total population of about 550, most of whom are dependent on agriculture for a living, lacked basic facilities such as water, electricity, educational infrastructure and enterprise-based livelihood opportunities. Focusing primarily on integrated village development through self-reliance, the project’s main objective was to develop this long-neglected village through sustainable initiatives towards making these villagers more independent and self-sufficient. During the 5-year span of the initiative since its “adoption” in 2005, the village made slow but steady progress in multiple spheres including irrigational infrastructure, agriculture, education, vocational training and entrepreneurship development.

Having selected the village through the recommendation of the two Habarana-based hotels of John Keells – namely, Cinnamon Lodge and Chaaya Village – the Foundation proceeded to identify the villagers’ most essential requirements through regular stakeholder discussions, and prioritize needs and implement various initiatives in phases, with the able support of Cinnamon Lodge.

One of the main initiatives undertaken was the construction of a feeder channel to improve the water catchment into the Halmillawe tank to increase the period during which agricultural activities could be carried on – a crying need which had apparently gone unheeded for 50 years until John Keells stepped in. In addition, initiatives such as provision of infrastructure and logistical facilities to the village school including a library, solar power, TVs and DVD players, construction of a new pre-school, support to construct a Dharmashalawa-cum-Community Centre, as well as livelihood projects such as farmer loans and enterprise development among the women and youth, have been highly successful.

Yet another highlight of the project was the establishment of the women’s society ‘Diriyen Idiriyata’ in 2007. A key initiative undertaken by this society has been a village-based savings scheme operated by the members themselves providing the women financial independence. Other initiatives include enterprise development in spheres such as mushroom cultivation, dressmaking and fabric painting following training facilitated by the Foundation. Some of the women who have benefited from these initiatives have proceeded to engage in these enterprises on a commercial basis and thereby supplement their family income.

The Puttalam-based NGO, Wilpotha Kantha Ithurum Parishramaya, which acted as the animator of the women’s empowerment initiatives at Halmillawe was a key collaborating party while the technical and logistical support provided by the Manager and staff of Cinnamon Lodge throughout the project was invaluable.
Mangalagama is the second village selected for development under the Village Development Project of the Foundation commencing 2010/11.A village in Eravur Pattu DS Division of Ampara District, this is a former “border village”, previously severely affected by the conflict. It has a population of approximately 2250 made up of 500 households. The main source of income is cashew and other farming. There is also a large number of Civil Security Forces in the village.

The project which is undertaken by the Foundation in collaboration with Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (a fellow subsidiary of John Keells Holdings PLC) is a strategic CSR initiative, primarily aimed at building livelihoods and market opportunities of the significant number of cashew farmers living in the village whilst developing a sustainable source of cashew required by CCS for its ice cream products. Whilst Ceylon Cold Stores PLC (CCS) will drive the strategic business component of this project, the initial focus of the Foundation will be infrastructure development as identified and prioritized in consultation with the villagers. CCS has already initiated the establishment of a Cashew Farmers Association in Mangalagama which would invest in a cashew processing centre and the supply of processed and cut cashew to meet CCS’ requirements. Meanwhile, The Foundation has carried out its own assessment of the villagers’ development needs by meeting with community leaders including the Grama Niladhari, members of the village Farmer Association, Cashew Farmers Association and school representatives.
Accordingly, the following areas have been identified for development in the medium term:
· Irrigation – Rehabilitation of tank
· Irrigation – Securing of unprotected wells (already excavated)
· Education – Renovations/ improvements in the school and pre-school
· Enterprise Development (Cashew)
Whilst the Foundation has already committed funds for the above development work, it is also in discussion with international development agencies as to whether and how these plans could be accelerated with their support.