By Moses Ebosele, ebosele@hotmail.com –
Thousands of Ford employees around the world will be venturing out into their communities this month to make people’s lives better.
Indeed, September is Ford Global Caring Month. In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), Ford volunteers will be tackling more than 35 widely varying projects in South Africa, Angola, Kenya, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
According to Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, the scope of the projects to be tackled during September include agricultural, clean water, old age homes, educational institutions, places of safety for abused children and animal welfare organisations.
“Ford has a strong legacy of community social responsibility, showing care and commitment to help build a better world for the communities in which we operate,” explained Casper Kruger, Managing Director of Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. “I am urging all our team members to make a special effort this year and to enjoy interacting with their colleagues and the local communities outside the work environment to make a difference.”
A statement issued by Alisea Chetty explained that Ford Global Caring Month is the signature annual event of the Ford Volunteer Corps.
Since its launch in 2005, Ford Volunteer Corps members have contributed more than one million hours of community service in 50 countries, representing more than $30-million of in-kind community investments. During September, the Ford Volunteer Corps will tackle more than 600 projects with thousands of volunteers on six continents. In addition to the volunteer activities SSA, Ford Global Caring Month projects include:
Australia – Install water tanks at a camp for disadvantaged young people
Brazil – Help build a facility to care for unprivileged families and their children with cancer
Germany – Assist with preparations for a new refugee camp
Mexico – Renovate a treatment centre for children with disabilities
Philippines – Build community water facilities in local villages
Russia – Renovation and construction work at a senior citizens centre and school
United Kingdom – Restore a children’s activity centre, refurbish a shelter for the homeless
“Whether it’s improving access to clean water or creating innovative ways to help children and families, each Ford volunteer is making a valuable contribution to a better world,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund. “Each project is important because one person at a time, we are strengthening our communities and enhancing the quality of life.”
Ford Fund is also contributing $600,000 in grants to purchase tools and supplies for many of the volunteer projects. Ford Volunteer Corps activities take place year round as part of a global network enlisting more than 30,000 Ford volunteer participants annually.
