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SINGAPORE, Nov. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- As part of the ongoing efforts to foster equal access to education worldwide, Deutsche Post DHL, the world's leading logistics company has partnered with Teach For India (TFI), a non-profit organization aimed at raising literacy levels and to eliminate education inequality in the country. The Deutsche Post DHL-TFI partnership, which started in November 2010, has since benefited over 100 schools in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi, with plans for expansion into Hyderabad and Chennai in 2012.
"For many children across the world, access to education sadly remains a distant hope. At Deutsche Post DHL, we believe in the value of education and the impact that it can have in the communities that we operate in. As a leading international logistics company, we hope that by taking concrete steps in supporting individuals in their development and expanding their personal skills, we can empower children in India for a better future," said Christoph Remund, Chief Executive Officer, DHL Global Forwarding India.
The partnership is central to Deutsche Post DHL's GoTeach program, one of three Corporate Responsibility programs towards fulfilling the company's motto of Living Responsibility. With the GoTeach program, Deutsche Post DHL works with partners in the field of education and aspires that one day, all children will have the opportunity to attain an excellent education.
Since the kick-off in November 2010, Deutsche Post DHL has organized donation drives for used computers and laptops as well as stationery items to facilitate classroom learning for the students. Led by the employees in India, the team collected 180 computers and 90 laptops, which are used to equip the students with basic computer skills. Fifty boxes of stationery items and euro3,000 in cash, which was used to purchase additional stationery for the students, were also distributed to the students in June, in time for the commencement of the new academic year.
In addition to benefiting the vast number of students in India's low-income communities, the partnership with TFI also helps strengthen our talent pipeline through mentoring and identifying suitable individuals for internships and careers within the Deutsche Post DHL network. To equip the teachers with soft skills suitable for their teaching stints as well as their subsequent professional careers with corporations, a four-day Leadership Development Program that covered topics such as transformational leadership, managing conflict and change management was also organized.
As an extension of the partnership, the team in India rolled out the Deutsche Post DHL Global Volunteer Day in the TFI schools in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi. To give the students a break from their classroom routine, 'Redraw India', a drawing competition for 2,500 students from the primary levels was organized. In Delhi, the team also organized a 'Cleanliness Drive' where our colleagues swept and cleaned the schools; and conducted sessions on 'Keeping our Environment Clean' where the team shared with the students the importance of planting trees, keeping their surroundings clean, and conservation of our environment.
"Our partnership with Deutsche Post DHL has bolstered our efforts to eliminate educational inequality in India. The Fellows and our students from low-income communities have benefited tremendously from the various meaningful activities that not only enhance the classroom environment but also the personal development of each individual," said Shaheen Mistri, CEO, Teach For India.
The TFI program has received strong support from employees and to date, over 800 volunteers have participated in various activities organized for the Deutsche Post-TFI partnership.
Today, six million primary school age Indian children never even enroll in school. Of those in school, 30 per cent drop out before getting a primary education. On average, 25 per cent of teachers in government schools are absent on any given day. Of those teachers that attend school, only 50 per cent are likely to be teaching at any given time. TFI attracts young graduates, trains them to become full time teachers, who then work in lower income schools to bring about long-term transformation on the educational system.
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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.
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