Mr Rick Paul President, Mast Industries Inc handed over to Mrs. Neetha Ariyaratne Hony Secretary, Sarvodaya Suwasetha on 25th January 2007 a new Children’s Home at Bataganvila in Galle. ‘Abigail House’ was constructed with the generous donations from MAST CARES, a division of Limited Brands and named in honour of Mrs. Abigial Wexner wife of the President of Limited Brands, Mr Lesley Wexner.
After the Tsunami tragedy in 2004 Mr Lesley Wexner pledged $ 500,000 to the panic-stricken Asian region, MAST CARES originated from this initiative. The CSR of MAST CARES is a scheme that links MAST offices around the world to support global initiatives.
The opening ceremony of ‘Abigail House’ was graced by Mr Rick Paul, President Mast Industries inc, Mr Bruce Soll – Senior VP and Counsel of Limited Brands and Mr Mark Green – VP, Global Operations, VSDP and was previously Country Manager MAST Industries Sri Lanka who was instrumental in initiating a $ 400,000 project to build homes in Galle and Baddegama for the children of Sarvodaya Suwasetha.
Also present at the opening was M/s Sharad Amalean, Deputy Chairman of MAS Holdings, Dian Gomes – CEO MAS Intimates and Nathan Sivgananathan – MD MAS Design
‘Abigail House’ a state of the art facility was designed by Shanthini Balasubramaniam, a member of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects. It has provision for 40 children and 4 staff members, and can admit 20 new Tsunami affected children seeking a comfortable home, where knowledge and talent enhancement are a priority. It includes 3 spacious dormitories, an ICT unit, a vocational Centre, a Library an Infirmary and spacious areas for outdoor and indoor games.
‘Fairytale Fund’, another initiative of MAST Industries, will provide the unaccompanied girls at ‘Abigail House’ Medical care, Educational and skills development support and a stimulating environment to grow into value adding youth of Sri Lankan society. All the girls of the home will in addition be supported by a Guardian Scheme that supports the costs of maintenance and welfare and builds a savings pool for the future.
‘Abigail House’ the newest addition of the Sarvodaya Suwasetha homes will be a safe haven for the unaccompanied girls at Bataganvila.