User:LighttoLife

“Light to Life”

About light to life(www.lightolife.lk)

Lighttolife.lk is a project by Rotary International District 3220 Sri Lanka, in partnership with JWT & Mindshare Colombo. The project is endorsed by the Vocational Training Authority and aims to raise a minimum sum of Rs. 25 million or US$ 215,000 to build a vocational training school with the vision of giving children of war torn areas a future through learning. The mechanism to raise funds has been designed with two considerations. Primarily to afford the opportunity to many thousands globally who have been moved by the plight of these children, share in their grief and to help provide for their future by making a financial contribution for the establishment of an educational institution. The other consideration was not to burden the donor under present global economic pressures by asking for amounts that are unreasonable. The Light to Life movement has devised a unique mechanism for thousands across the globe to participate with a small contribution.

How does it work?

Light to Life will be erecting a spectacular Christmas tree in one of Sri Lanka's premiere shopping malls Crescat. Crescat is a popular venue located in the heart of Colombo for shoppers looking to savour the experience and atmosphere of the season. The tree will have 25 layers which correspond to the 1st 25 days of the month of Christmas. Each layer is worth 1 million Sri Lankan rupees or US$ 10,000. On the 1st of December the tree begins to come alive when donors from all parts of the globe are encouraged to purchase a symbolic light bulb for 1 US$ which will help light-up each of the layers. Some of these layers have already been sponsored by corporate entities such as Dialog Telekom and Glaxo Smithkline who have pledged Rs 250,000 or US$ 2500 to kick start the fund collection for the day. In the event the entire Rs 1 million or US$10,000 dollars is not collected they have agreed to underwrite the deficit to make up the target.  Local and Global Community participation

Citizens of the world will be invited to buy a bulb for Rs 100 or US$1 or 1 Euro or 1 Pound. Bulb can be purchased for one or several bulbs for each day or across multiple days. The more bulbs a person purchases, the more they will be contributing towards achieving the daily target and eventually the final target of 25 million Sri Lankan rupees or US$ 215,000. The faster we achieve the target the faster we can get these unfortunate children to their books.

Every drop counts and smaller denominations of any value are welcome. A symbolic purchase of a bulb will occur once the smaller denominations (less than Rs 100 or US$1 or 1 Euro or 1 Pound) add up to the value of a bulb. These collections will be grouped and the computer will calculate the amount and make the purchase automatically on behalf of one or several people donating less than the value of Rs 100 or US$1 or 1 Euro or 1 Pound.

People will commence buying a bulb or bulbs from the 8th of October 2009. The lighting of the bulb/s will not happen until the 1st of December which is the official start date. All participants will be issued an e-receipt for their contribution.

Project Management

The fund generation project will be managed by JWT in terms of local and international awareness, setting up the website and payment gateway. Rotary District 3220 Sri Lanka, as a registered charity, will interface with the Government and Vocational Training Authority in managing and implementing the final project. All fund utilization will be sanctioned for approval from Rotary District 3220 and monitored by an independent Audit Consultant (SJMS Associates.)

There will also be a non executive advisory board to further advise the trust.

Envisaged project plan

The funds collected via the Light to Life movement will be channeled to a Government approved project managed by the Rotary of Sri Lanka.

Introduction to the project

The Kilinochchi district consists of over 200,000 individuals affected by the 30 years of conflict. The youth in this area face many obstacles such as lack of employable skill, in-availability of employment options and an overall sense of doom which could lead to other social issues. The development of this district is of prime importance in the up-lifting of the North and East and the key to doing so is empowering youth and children with economically viable knowledge and skill. It is therefore proposed to set up a vocational training institute in conjunction with the Rotary club of Sri Lanka and the Vocational Training Authority.

Objectives of establishing a vocational training institute •	Creating a peaceful and progressive environment by facilitating better educational and training opportunities. •	Propagation of IT and English skills •	Reform and rehabilitate affected youth and children to make them economically viable and employable. •	Establishment of a job placement service •	Career guidance and advise

 Contact Shivanthi Jayasinghe Project Head C/o JWT 26B Alwis Place Colombo 3 p. 0777312558 e.shivi.jayasinghe@jwt.com