Corporate

BlueScope Steel and World Vision put Children back in Safer Schools

CEO World Vision Australia hands over hands over the keys to the classroom in the village Sepada which was built with BlueScope Steel building products.More than 3000 children in the earthquake-ravaged state of Gujarat will go back to safer classrooms this school year.

BlueScope Steel, one of the Asia Pacific region's leading flat steel manufacturers, and international relief and development agency World Vision Australia, today announced the completion of a major schools rebuilding program following the devastating earthquake in 2001 in Gujarat, India. Eighty-five new school classrooms in the Gujarat region of India will now open in the area where the earthquake brought down around 4000 classrooms - leaving thousands of children without access to education.

In a unique partnership with World Vision, BlueScope Steel donated steel building solutions for the reconstruction of 85 classrooms spread around 17 villages in the Kutch district of Gujarat.

"At BlueScope Steel, we pride ourselves on being a good corporate citizen. When an earthquake caused India's worst natural disaster of modern times, we saw that we were uniquely placed to manufacture steel building solutions at one of our regional operations to help relieve the plight of the local people in Gujarat," says BlueScope Steel General Manager-South Asia & Middle East, Mr Brian Kelso.

"This humanitarian project in partnership with World Vision is another tangible demonstration of our commitment to our regional communities."

The funding which enabled the delivery of the steel building materials was sourced from BlueScope Steel with support from its former parent company, BHP Billiton Limited.

Mr Kelso said, "BlueScope Steel is proud to have teamed up with World Vision in this significant reconstruction project for the benefit of the people of Gujarat. By supporting sustainable projects such as rebuilding these schools, we can provide a lasting benefit for future generations."

"This is an outstanding partnership achievement which will provide a safer schooling environment for thousands of children in future", said World Vision Australia's CEO, Mr Lynn Arnold. Mr Arnold is also World Vision's Vice President-elect for the Asia Pacific region.

In a symbolic event held at the village of Sapeda, 40 kms east of Gandhidam, attended by Indian government officials and other local dignitaries, Mr Kelso of BlueScope Steel and Mr Arnold, on behalf of World Vision, officially opened seven newly constructed classrooms.

 

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