Sustainability

NDB English for Teaching Plus (EfT+) Project

Activity based Training focusing on both Improving English Language Proficiency as well as Teaching Skills in In-service Secondary English Language Teachers. Project is conducted in partnership with British Council Sri Lanka.

Having recognised the importance of English for Sri Lanka's next generation, NDB has been involved in English Education since 2009 where the focus was on educating students. However in an effort to implement a more sustainable project and have a wider impact, the Bank focussed on educating teachers who will then go on to teach many batches of students.

With an overall Objective of improving the standard of English & English Teaching in Sri Lanka, the key aim of this project was to have better trained teachers which will ultimately benefit the students across the island, improving their English Skills and employability over the long term.

The ultimate goal was to implement a Sustainable project that would continuously benefit many batches of students over a period of time.

From the year 2012 to date, a total of 882 English Teachers of 630 state schools have successfully completed this programme, impacting over 140,000 students' island wide.

Key qualitative impacts:

• Improvement of the teachers own standard of English & confidence in using it.
• Widening of teachers' techniques and increase in 'innovativeness'.
• A More learner-centred approach.
• Increased professionalism.

Empowerment of micro and small scale female entrepreneurs

There is increasing recognition that women entrepreneurs are the new engines for inclusive and sustainable industrial growth. However they face many challenges, including difficulties to scale up and expand. Access to skills remains an obstacle facing women entrepreneurs which limits their means to expand and grow their businesses. Therefore their entrepreneurial ventures rarely move beyond a subsistent, small-scale business phase. Thus, Capacity building and empowerment of women entrepreneurs is a vital step in taking them to the next level.

Educate and empower women entrepreneurs by investing in capacity building.

04 programmes conducted during 2017, in Colombo, Balangoda, Matale and Minuwangoda. These programmes have attracted over 400 participants in total.

Key qualitative impacts:

• Empowerment of micro and small scale female entrepreneurs dispersed across the country, with the required skills and business knowledge which are essential for business success.
• Educating the women on personal well-being in addition to the capacity building on business prosperity.

Environment Literacy for Schools

Sensitising, creating awareness and training on environmental conservation amongst school children in diverse parts of the country.

There are a lot of environmental issues around the globe. Air pollution, water pollution, unexpected climate change, garbage, and pollution of the natural environment are some of challenges faced by many other countries in the world. Education plays a massive role in building up a society that is knowledgeable towards the environment and its associated problems.

Environmental education teaches individuals and communities to know about the environment and its related problems, become aware of the solutions to the environmental problems, motivate the people to solve the issues and take proper action to save the environment from potential issues.

Empower students, teachers & principals to protect and add value to our environment which in turn contributes to social and environmental sustainability.

From the year 2014 to date, the program has been conducted in 400 schools, with 45 Nature Clubs set up.

Key qualitative impacts:

• Create consciousness towards being a 'Green Leader', being responsible for all actions and decisions, adopting best environmental practices and influencing and encouraging others to conserve the environment and adopt environmental best practices.
• Contributing to the sustainable development of Sri Lanka.

Mobile Screening Clinics for Early Detection of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a national health issue in Sri Lanka with a severe economic burden on the society. Previously confined to North and Uva province it is now prevalent in another 8 Districts. Early identification and management of patients with chronic kidney disease is important in order to decrease the morbidity and mortality.

Early detection prevents the end stage disease requiring Dialysis and Kidney Transplant. However, the community is reluctant to come to a hospital or clinic for the testing due to various reasons such a distance to the closest hospital, transport difficulties, financial difficulties, etc. Therefore the best way is to deploy mobile laboratories to go to the remote villages itself and do the screening.

Addressing a national issue and improving health of the people.

From the year 2014 to date, over 9,000 villagers screened in over 50 villages, with over 1,900 detected with CKD and directed for treatment.

Key qualitative impacts:

• Early detection & diagnosis of CKDu, thereby enhancing life expectancy of the patient and uplifting the family & community.

Regional CSR Projects

As a responsible corporate citizen, it is important to encourage our own employees to volunteer their time and effort, and give back to society.

Inculcate Responsibility towards our Community and Environment in all NDB employees.

CSR Projects conducted in regions by NDB employees.

Key qualitative impacts:

• Employee's commitment to giving back to their community.
• Team building.