As an orgnization in the Education industry our CSR Initiatives are focused on uplifting rural communities in Sri Lanka by focusing on improving the quality of education received by students in these areas.
Our aim is not only to provide educational support to communities but to ensure these communities become self-sufficient so that they no longer require aid from external parties.
Padaviya is a rural village situated in the outskirts of the Anuradhapura district We were introduced to the Padaviya community through Live, Love, and Give a non-governmental organization dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged communities in Sri Lanka.
The Padaviya community consists of children from various disciplines such as art, music, and dancing, whose talents have not been able to blossom due to the lack of resources available to them.
We decided to work with this community because we saw their potential to grow and their genuine desire to improve.
Segment 1 - Providing Provisions for studied
Phase 1 was broken down to 2 segments. In the first segment, we provided all the students of the Sunday school and Lakrivi classes who had an attendance of 70% and above with school bags and their required books for that year. The purpose of this initiative was to encourage their love for learning.
Segment 2 - Talent show and scholarship
The 2nd segment was a talent show performed by the students of the art, singing and dancing disciplines. This gave them an opportunity to present to everyone their talents and to motivate and encourage them to continue their passions. As a sequel of the talent show we selected three of the best talents from each segment and altogether 9 students were given scholarships for a period of one year to receive extra lessons from their teachers to develop upon their skill.
We didn't stop there, it was important that these classes had the necessary resources to train and hone the skills of these students, so we took on the task of equipping them with the resources they needed such as artboards, crayons, drawing paper for the art classes, materials to stitch leotards and gata bera for the dancing classes and an organ for the singing classes.
During Phase 2, we had our second visit to Padaviya. The reason of our visit this time was two fold. Firstly it was to monitor the progress the students had made so far in the period of the past 6 months. They had organized a mini talent show to present their talents to us and we were overjoyed to see the progress of these talented children.
Secondly, as a part of our aim of capacity building it was important that we sit with the community and spend time with them so that we can understand their strengths and their requirements more in depth to come with strategies for self-sufficiency. The Padaviya community and Father Gihan from the Padaviya Parish took it upon themselves to make sure we experience all of Padaviya. It left us in awe to see the many resources they have and the beauty of their village area. After many discussions with the students, parents, teachers, and the community we were able to plan our next strategy for the upcoming year.
As part of GEP's ongoing commitment to empowering young talent in Padaviya, the Art Exhibition 2024 provided a unique platform for students to showcase their creativity and artistic abilities to a wider audience in Colombo on 19th November 2024.
The exhibition featured artwork created by students participating in the GEP CSR Scholarship Programme. Visitors had the opportunity to experience the remarkable talent of these young artists and gain insight into the dedication, passion, and hard work behind each piece.
The event served as more than just an exhibition. It provided students with exposure, recognition, and encouragement to continue pursuing their artistic aspirations. Members of the public were also able to support the students by purchasing selected artworks, directly contributing to the growth and development of the programme.
The success of the exhibition demonstrated the immense potential that exists within rural communities when students are given access to opportunities, mentorship, and encouragement.
The Annual Scholarship Programme 2024 marked another important milestone in GEP's mission to uplift communities through education, talent development, and opportunity creation.
The programme continued to support existing scholarship recipients on 22nd December 2024 while identifying and awarding new students who demonstrated exceptional talent and commitment. Students participated in a talent showcase and competition across multiple categories, including Art, Singing, and Dancing.
The event brought together students, parents, teachers, and community members to celebrate the achievements of the participants while highlighting the importance of nurturing talent from a young age.
Beyond the competition, the programme included interactive activities, games, and community engagement sessions, creating a memorable experience for all participants. The scholarships awarded through this initiative enabled talented students to continue developing their skills while receiving the educational support needed to achieve their long-term goals.
The programme further strengthened GEP's partnership with the Padaviya community and reinforced our commitment to creating sustainable opportunities for future generations.
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Building on the success of the previous year's exhibition, the GEP CSR Art Exhibition 2025 showcased the artistic achievements of students from both the 2023 and 2024 scholarship cohorts.
On 7th December 2025, Held at Bishop's Auditorium, the exhibition provided students with an opportunity to present their work to a larger audience while celebrating their artistic growth and development. The event brought together students, parents, sponsors, educators, and supporters who witnessed firsthand the impact of the scholarship programme on the lives of these young individuals.
The exhibition highlighted not only the students' creative talents but also the confidence, discipline, and dedication they had developed throughout their journey. It served as a powerful reminder of how access to education, mentorship, and encouragement can unlock potential and create meaningful opportunities for young people.
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The CSR Scholarship & Talent Development Programme 2025 was organised to celebrate the achievements of scholarship recipients while identifying and supporting the next generation of talented students from the Padaviya community.
The event commenced with a talent competition conducted across three categories: Art, Singing, and Dancing, providing young participants with an opportunity to showcase their abilities before a panel of judges. Following the competition, one outstanding student from each category was selected and awarded a fully funded one-year scholarship to support their continued development and education.
As part of the programme, GEP also recognised the commitment and dedication of existing scholarship students. Students who maintained over 80% attendance throughout the programme were rewarded with school bags, educational packs, and Bata gift vouchers in recognition of their consistency and hard work. Scholarship renewal letters were also presented to existing scholarship recipients, reaffirming GEP's continued investment in their educational and personal growth.
The event further included refreshments and meals for students and their families, creating an enjoyable and memorable experience for all attendees.
The celebrations concluded with a vibrant musical concert featuring renowned performer Jo Pereira. Adding to the excitement of the evening, scholarship winners from the 2023 and 2024 cohorts across the Art, Singing, and Dancing categories took to the stage to showcase their talents before the community. Their performances highlighted the progress, confidence, and skills developed through the scholarship programme and served as an inspiring demonstration of the impact of sustained support and mentorship.
With the addition of the new scholarship recipients, the programme now supports 10 students in each category, creating a growing network of talented young individuals who are being empowered through education, creativity, and opportunity.
This initiative continues to reflect GEP's commitment to creating sustainable opportunities that nurture talent, build confidence, and transform lives within rural communities.
Yes we are brining the young talented artists of Padaviya to Colombo, Sri Lanka to showcase their talent to all of the city.
This exhibition is planned to take place on the, 10th of October in Colombo
Where even you can be a part of making a contribution to their growth by purchasing their beautiful work which will be on display on that they.
We believe this will instill a sense of motivation and hope for each of the students to keep excelling in the their talents.
As part of our aim to uplift the community through education, we plan to continue the scholarship program for the year of 2027 for the students who are already being funded by GEP while also extending it to 13 other students.
Similar to the previous year, this year's scholarship winners will be selected through the annual talent show which will be held in Padaviya. In addition, after the talent show we will be hosting be fun activities, games and for everyone who participated.
