Roots was formally established as a UK charity in 2010 by the founders of the Prax Group, a British multinational energy company – the name having been inspired by the fact that their roots are in Sri Lanka, and the charity’s first projects are based there.
The Prax Group is the main donor to Roots. The charity is run on a zero-cost basis, with every dollar that the Group donates going directly to Roots. The trustees’ objectives are to:
- Raise funds for the charity
- Make sure these funds are used wisely
- Relieve poverty and sickness
- Advance the education of girls in particular, and children in general
Our Hostels
The charity, which is overseen by the Carmelite Sisters, an order of Catholic nuns, is currently responsible for the welfare of 80 girls (a number that is increasing all the time), at two hostels in Sri Lanka, located in Adampan and Murankan. The preservation, protection and health of these children are paramount to the charity’s trustees, who visit every year.
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As part of their development and on-going education, the girls are actively encouraged to take up coveted scholarships at one of Sri Lanka’s 15 universities. Alternatively, placements are arranged for the girls as teaching assistants in local schools, or internships are organised in shops and factories.
The hostels are currently undergoing refurbishment, with plans to eventually open refuges for boys too, although it is sadly the case that girls are the most vulnerable in Sri Lankan communities, as they often are across the world.
Current Initiatives
At present, there are Roots donation boxes in all Harvest Energy filling stations in the United Kingdom. The Prax Group – the main donor to Roots – also organises a number of fundraising events throughout the year. Historically every Christmas, the teams in the Group’s offices around the world get together to wrap up “Love In A Box” gifts, which are then
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sent to Sri Lanka and given to every girl.
The charity also sends boxes of donated clothes, which are washed, cleaned and sent to the girls and their communities on a regular basis.
As well as providing financial support to the girls at the two hostels, the Roots Foundation also contributes towards the refurbishment of key historical buildings in Sri Lanka, such as St. Mary’s Cathedral in Trincomalee, in the north east of the country.
Future Initiatives
In 2019, a steering Committee consisting of a number of Prax Group employees was established to consider the expansion of the charity’s projects to other parts of the world and to make Roots more international, rather than an initiative that is based solely in the United Kingdom.
Our Roots
Adampan
Murunkan
Colombo
Kandy
Trincomalee
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