Purpose-built library delivers global knowledge to local community
KOLDA, Senegal, July 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Long-term business partners DHL, the world's leading logistics company, and shipping line Safmarine have joined forces to create the first community library in Kolda, Senegal. The new Kolda Community Library provides free access to global knowledge in the form of 350 French school books in a purpose-built 95 square meter facility that caters to all ages from six to 60 and is open six days a week.
The Kolda Community Library officially opened yesterday with guests that included the mayor of Kolda, the regional council president and the governor of Kolda.
Amadou Diallo, CEO, Africa and South Asia Pacific, DHL Global Forwarding, said: "Many students in this rural area have gone through the school system without having access to a single book. To tackle the issues of poverty and social exclusion and give this French-speaking community the opportunity to increase their knowledge, DHL partnered Safmarine to build a community library. GoTeach is one of DHL's three Corporate Responsibility programs with which we aim to champion education all over the world. The Kolda Community Library reduces the local cost of education by providing a valuable resource that's free for the community to access."
DHL and Safmarine jointly funded the building and the stocking of the library which includes French books covering a range of interests from fiction/non-fiction, biographical novels, rapid reads, school books, reference books, encyclopedias and dictionaries.
Tomas Dyrbye, CEO, Safmarine said: "Safmarine is continuously seeking opportunities with our customers and stakeholders to promote sustainable development through education. This is a great opportunity to extend a helping hand for the first time in Senegal. Like DHL, at Safmarine we believe our people should make a positive difference in the community in which we operate. The Kolda Community Library will help to improve the quality of life for young Senegalese through better literacy and education which in turn will lead to more job opportunities for the locals."
The development of the community library is the first time long-term business partners, DHL and shipping line Safmarine have combined resources to help local communities.
Under the motto 'Living Responsibility,' DHL has a globally active Corporate Responsibility strategy which includes three programs: GoGreen (protecting the environment), GoHelp (delivering help after natural disasters) and GoTeach (championing education). Since 1991, Safmarine has been pioneering the re-use of containers in South Africa to create clinics, schools and community centers in impoverished areas as various other sustainability projects as part of its People Making the Difference initiative.
Mr. Diallo added: "The Kolda Community Library shows DHL's and Safmarine's long-standing commitment to meet the challenges of global sustainable development. For DHL, the collaboration with Safmarine in particular reaffirms the need for global solidarity and recognizes the importance of strengthening our work with global business partners so we can have a significant impact on global sustainable development."
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Note to editor:
This project is one of the many Corporate Responsibility projects by DHL and Safmarine as well as its stakeholders in Africa.
In 2010, DHL partnered with SOS Children's Villages to offer professional mentoring to orphans in Madagascar and South Africa in addition to Brazil and Vietnam. Apart from the SOS Children's Villages partnership, DHL employees in Tanzania provided translation, transport and organizational assistance to support Jambo Bukoba's "Life Skills for Games" program which has helped 30,000 children gain self-confidence and learn respect through sport.
In June 2011, Safmarine and ADM Cocoa provided the funding for the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) Agricultural Logistics Skill Development Programme at the KNUST School of Business in Kumasi, Ghana and in 2007 Safmarine and non-governmental organisation NetLib partnered to open a self-sustaining craftsman/trade school in Liberia.
DHL – The Logistics company for the world
DHL is the global market leader in the logistics industry and "The Logistics company for the world". DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and about 275,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting climate protection, disaster management and education.
DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenue of more than 51 billion Euros in 2010.
Safmarine
Safmarine is an independently-managed multi-trade shipping company within the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group, with a broad network focused primarily on container transport to and from the core regions of Africa, the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. Safmarine's business in 2011 is significantly larger than it was in 1999. In the 12 years since joining the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, Safmarine has increased its volumes significantly from approximately 180 000FFE to 800 000 FFE. Safmarine currently does business in more than 110 countries around the world. Our Safmariners share a common goal: to be known as the 'people making the difference in shipping. For more information, visit www.safmarine.com
