Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka launches ‘Build up our Children, Build our the Nation’ programme

Young Entrepreneurs Sri Lanka (YESL) has taken a historic step to Build up our Children to Build up our Nation through trust, unity and progress through Entrepreneur Education towards Socio-economic Development of the country.
After almost 30 years, with the successful liberation of North and East from terrorism YESL recently launched the programme in Batticaloa in the Eastern Province.

Presentation by a student of St. Vincent Girls’ School, Batticaloa

The JA/YESL has been approved by Ministry of Education and with the Coorperation and coordination of the Zonel Education Director A. M. E. Paul the programme was introduced to the following schools in Batticaloa: St. Vincent’s High School, St. Michael’s College and Vivekhananda Girls Maha Vidyalaya.
Ms. Dayani Edirisinghe, Chief Operating Officer and O. K. B. Gunasekara, Manager – Operations who introduced the programme said that they found a spontaneous response from the children in this area to be involved with the High School Company programme to set up their own true-to-life company as it is done in other schools in the country and in the world.

Training of YESL Program at Vivekananda Maha Vidyalaya, Batticaloa

The Junior Achievement YESL High School Company Programme is very popular among students, where they form a true-to-life company, usually after school, under the guidance of YESL. Students prepare a Business Plan, Elect a President and Board of Directors and issue shares. They make a product, sell it and earn profits. They also do a CSR Project. After 12 months time they will be liquidating the company and pay dividends to the company members.
Since the introduction of the programme these student have been extremely enthusiastic and continuously in touch with YESL for advice either by telephone or e-mail.

Building bridges through entrepreneur education
As an initial phase to give exposure to children from Batticaloa they would be visiting Colombo to participate in the Regional Launch – Award Ceremony hosted by the St. Joseph’s College, Colombo.

YESL representatives having an awareness program for Principals and teachers of St. Michael’s College, Vivekananda Maha Vidyalaya, St. Vincent Girl’s School Batticaloa. Zonal Educational Director A.M.E. Paul is also present

Over 32 children accompanied by their teachers will be received in Colombo by the YESL staff, Young Entrepreneurs from St. Joseph’s College and Musaeus College. The Young Entrepreneurs of St. Joseph’s College will provide accommodation for the boys and the three school companies of Musaeus College will host the girls. This was held on the July 4 at St. Joseph’s College Colombo.
They will also arrange various other activities during their stay to build trust, confidence and relationships vitally needed in all areas of the country to build peace and harmony among children from all communities.
YESL thanks the Rector. Father Sylvester Ranasinghe, of St. Joseph’s College, Mrs. S. Dandeniya, Principal of Musaeus College and the teachers in-charge of the YESL Programme for making this initiative a reality.
A very significant feature of this initiative has been the tremendous interest, excitement and enthusiasm of the children from the Colombo schools to go out of their way to support the children from the Eastern Province to be followed with the Northern Province.

Training of YESL Program at St. Michael’s College, Batticaloa

Young Entrepreneurs from Colombo and other regions are now planning to reciprocate by visiting the schools in Batticaloa and offering their knowledge and experience to help these children to be work force ready or Entrepreneurs.
This programme will be strengthened progressively for the benefit of the children involved in the YESL programme in other areas of the country.