To uplift the spirits of children in marginalized communities during the festive season, HNB launched the ‘Season of Giving’ donation campaign on its premier digital payment app, SOLO, to support Caritas Sri Lanka.
The non-profit organization, the social arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Sri Lanka, is one of the largest and most respected humanitarian organizations working on Integral Human Development projects across 12 dioceses across the island. Chief Guest Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo and Caritas Vice Chairman of the Commission of Justice, Peace, and Human Development Rt. Rev. Dr. Maxwell Silva, Dilshan Rodrigo, Director and Chief Operating Officer, HNB; Chammika Weerasinghe, AGM- Digital Business, HNB; Rev. Fr. Luke Nelson Perera, the National Director, Caritas Sri Lanka together with reverent fathers and sisters, donors and senior officials of HNB were present at a special ceremony to launch the initiative.
“The ongoing economic crisis has increased the number of families that do not have access to the proper meals, sanitation, and shelter in Sri Lanka. As of now, data indicates that as much as 4.8 million children do not have access to these basic facilities each day. Given that we do not have the funds or the facilities to reach out to every one of these children, we partnered with Caritas Sri Lanka to provide for those we can. We hope that many will join us in this worthy cause to provide for those in need during this festive season,” HNB Director/COO Dilshan Rodrigo said.
All donations made via HNB SOLO were directly sent to the Caritas Sri Lanka accounts, with the Bank making an additional donation for every user transaction. Moreover, HNB has also facilitated donations directly to the organization through the Direct Pay option available on the payment app.
“Christmas is the time for giving and sharing. With the support of your donations, these children will receive the necessary books and equipment to gain the education they need to create promising futures for themselves and be free of poverty. Many children have lost their motivation to return to school, but with your support, we can help them get the education they need to create a new change in their lives and communities. When you donate, you change their future and help them see beyond their struggles of poverty,” Caritas Sri Lanka National Director Rev. Fr. Luke Nelson Perera said, commenting on the initiative.
