MUMBAI: Besides building bridges and expanding borders by holding IIFA awards in different countries every year, the International India Film Academy (IIFA) has decided to spearhead a charity initiative in Sri Lanka this year where the 11th IIFA awards are to be held from 3 to 5 June in Colombo.
The charity initiative, in association with the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, Unicef and Habitat for Humanity, has been taken with an aim to positively impact those afflicted in the country.
The financial contributions generated through efforts of the IIFA, the Unicef and the Sri Lanka Cricket Board is being made to the ‘Cricket for Change‘ project wherein former child-soldiers, children of refugees, are being rehabilitated.
The proceeds of the cricket match to be held on the second day of the IIFA weekend between Indian celebrities and Sri Lankan players will go as charity to these child soldiers.
As a symbol of solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka, IIFA has tied up with Habitat for Humanity, an international, ecumenical Christian, non-governmental, non-profit organization, initiated by former US president Jimmy Carter.
Both IIFA and Habitat for Humanity will adopt and rebuild a village of refugees from time to time. To this effect Habitat for Humanity has roped in Salman Khan as its ‘Ambassador of Change‘ who has undertaken to rehabilitate 100 homes of refugees.
Commented Khan, "I wholeheartedly support IIFA‘s inintiative that aims to give back to the Sri Lankan people, their due for the hardships they have faced. IIFA has successfully build bridges between countries over the last decade and I hope this initiative will do the same for Sri Lanka too."
