-
The Latest in Enabling, Volunteering & Charity
News & Events
MJFCF’s Curtiss Institute for Design empowers 40 underprivileged Sri Lankans with essential skill set
The 4th of June 2017 was a day of joy and celebration for the students of the Curtiss Center for Design. The Settlor of the MJF Charitable Foundation & Chairman of MJF Group, Merrill J. Fernando was present at the MJF Centre West in Moratuwa to award certificates to students who successfully completed courses in Graphic Design and MS Office.It marks the start of a new journey for 40 young girls and boys from marginalized families thereby changing the narrative of their story.
Established with support from Dilmah Partner Daron Curtiss of New Zealand, the CurtissInstitute for Design assists urban youth from low-income families to excel in the area of graphic design. The unit, equipped with 48 computers, has the capacity to provide training in Graphic Design and MS Office for up to 329 students per year.
The opportunity to learn at the Centre is given to those from difficult economic backgrounds, providing them an opportunity to start a career. The Centre provides initial training enabling the youth the minimum requirement to join the private sector or start self-employment. This free of charge course gives these young men and women their first training and opportunity to become productive young adults.
The Curtiss Institute of Design also conducts special training classes for children and youth with Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome and other Developmental Disorders providing individual attention and care to facilitate their learning.
Speaking at the award ceremony the Founder stressed “I have been truly surprised by some of the Down Syndrome and other affected children and the progress they made over the years. Today they have become useful citizens who can stand on their own feet and earn a living for themselves. The students and everyone chose to be part of the MJF Centre Moratuwa are indeed fortunate but if you think of the many millions of disabled, poor, needy children around the country you will feel that you are extremely lucky and it becomes your duty and responsibility to look after them when you can afford to.”
The MJF Charitable Foundation (MJFCF) operates educational and vocational training centers across the country providing educational facilities to over 2,500 children annually.
Latest News
Dilmah launches The Genesis Project
Dilmah’s ‘The Genesis Project’ recently launched at the birthplace of Dilmah Tea in Maligawatte – will be an innovation hub and centre of excellence for Nature-based solutions. It will be an incubator that births and nurtures agripreneurs to reach their fullest potential and conquer international markets. And a home for industry experts and food and agri entrepreneurs to gather, share knowledge and inspire each other.
A Cup Of Kindness Goes A Long Way
With the help of your cuppa the Dilmah MJF Charitable Foundation and Kahawatte Plantations have joined hands to support the Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service. We have pledged our commitment to allocating 7 ambulances to 7 District Hospitals across the country, including DGH Nawalapitiya, Base Hospital Kahawatte, Glencairn District Hospital Dickoya, Teaching Hospital Nuwara Eliya, Kiribathgoda, Point Pedro and Teaching Hospital Batticaloa. Staying true to our Founder Merrill J. Fernando's purpose, with every cup of Dilmah you sip, 15% of the profits go towards serving humanity with kindness to people & nature!