Hemas Holdings PLC

2014

Community Care Company of the Year

Hemas Holdings PLC

Community Care Company of the Year

2014

About hemas holdings

“The Piyawara project has been firmly established as a positive initiative amongst the company’s stakeholders, both internal and external, from the grass roots communities that they impact to the suppliers and business partners they work with and the government authorities which partner them.”

Established in 1948, Hemas Holdings PLC is registered in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Corporate social responsibility is very much a part of the philosophy in this diversified conglomerate, which launched its campaign, entitled ‘Piyawara’ in 2002. This is Hemas Holdings’ primary CSR initiative in partnership with the Children’s Secretariat of the Ministry of Child Development & Women’s Affairs. The project focuses on promoting Early Childhood Care & Development (ECCD) through the establishment of child friendly pre-schools across Sri Lanka.

The rationale for selecting a project of this nature arose because Hemas Holdings’ biggest brand, Baby Cheramy, is the No. 1 baby brand in Sri Lanka used by mothers. The project is also aligned with the United Nations Millennium Development Goal 2 – to “Achieve Universal Primary Education” by laying the foundation for successful primaryeducation. ‘Piyawara’ goes beyond infancy to early childhood, helping children to achieve a solid foundation for life-long learning. ECCD encompasses a health factor and, being the leading healthcare organisation, Hemas Holdings’ involvement in a project of this nature made sense. The company also saw a national need for a project of this kind.

So far, the company has spent US$ 2.5 million over 12 years on this project. Money well spent in the ‘returns’ it has received. The Piyawara project has been firmly established as a positive initiative amongst the company’s stakeholders, both internal and external, from the grass roots communities that they impact to the suppliers and business partners they work with and the government authorities which partner them.

The project has even been recognised by the Sri Lankan Parliament, and His Excellency the President of the Republic lauded the project and has officiated at the opening ceremonies of Piyawara Pre-Schools. The media publicity generated by the Piyawara pre-schools has consistently been positive, thereby building the corporate image of the Hemas Group.

In 2007, the company was awarded the Asia CSR Award by the Institute of Business Management Asia, for ‘Excellence in Education in Asia’. The same year, Piyawara was named the Best Tsunami Project by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. A special study by USAID in 2005 highlighting the Piyawara project was also highlighted in the UNOPS annual report of 2013.

s a company, all their business processes are concerned with the environmental, social and economic impact they create in the communities and the areas in which they do business. Being a good community citizen is ingrained into the company’s policies and standard operating procedures. The Group’s sustainability policies have clearly defined the scope of good corporate citizenry. As part of their strategy, the Group is committed to focusing and launching CSR activities to engage with the communities on early childhood development wherever they do business. It is also integrated into their business processes by ensuring the practice of social policy and living the Hemas values in all they do.

For more information on this project, go to: www. hemasoutreach. com