Dachser and terre des hommes start second phase of aid project
Even more education, plus measures to preserve the environment and natural resources: Five years after Dachser began its aid project in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, the first phase of the project has drawn to a close. Countless children and young people have successfully completed the training course conceived by Dachser and terre des hommes. Now it is a question of consolidating the results for the long term.
The logistics provider and the children’s relief organization are now embarking on the second phase of the project, based on moving “from education to sustainability”. One component will be promoting an awareness of the local environment. The project will be extended to include a programme on mitigating climate change. The primary objective is to continue to provide further education and training for children in Uttar Pradesh: The project partners will set up schools, training centres and libraries. At the same time a contribution will be made to preventing climate change by promoting socially responsible forestry, using renewable sources of energy and building biogas plants.
The second phase will not only follow on seamlessly from the first but will also build on it: Between July 2005 and September 2010 the internationally operating logistics provider Dachser donated a total of EUR 500,000 to the international children’s relief organization terre des hommes. This has enabled the aid project to guarantee regular schooling for numerous children, provide educational materials and sanitary facilities for 25 schools and construct two training centres where 1,500 girls and boys have been prepared for working life. The second phase of the project begins in October 2010. It will run for five years, over which time Dachser will contribute a total of EUR 400,000.
Self-initiative and personal responsibility are key to survival
The aim of the aid project is to encourage people to develop and strengthen their self-initiative. George Chira, project coordinator of terre des hommes in South Asia explains: “We wish to support the villagers in their efforts to stand up for their rights and also take responsibility for the future of their children.” Respecting nature, a subject close to the heart of the spokesman for the Dachser management, Bernhard Simon, goes hand in hand with this. “As a family-owned company we are conscious that we have both social and environmental responsibilities,” he says.
In 2009 Dachser generated total revenue of EUR 3.2 billion. 17,500 staff working in 306 profit centres worldwide handled 41.8 million consignments weighing a total of 29.4 million tonnes.
terre des hommes means “earth of humanity” and is an international, development policy-based, children’s relief organization, with around 400 projects in 29 countries. Its work focuses on helping children who have no alternative means of support.