All of our communities are important to us, particularly in developing countries and in times of special need. Our contributions are substantial and are as diversified as our workforce – which design and implement the local programs with our corporate support.
While there are no limits on the areas in which commitments can be made, a deep and abiding dedication to education, as an asset for the community and its future generations, has emerged – from programs to deliver used computers to schools from Bangkok to Zanzibar; to contributions to funding of engineering and environmental schools at universities from London to Lagos. Scholarships we provide include those to 11 students from tsunami-affected Banda Aceh who are studying engineering at the University of Siyah Kuala in Indonesia and those for postgraduate education in Al Khobar, providing the opportunity to study in Australia.
Our commitment to health, safety and the environment also comes through in the projects our people choose for them and us to support. In Australia, the team at Port Hedland organized an inventive program to raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service; in Nigeria the team created a safety culture in the M&D Nursery & Primary School in Ogba, Lagos; in Houston we joined the 11th Annual Cystic Fibrosis Sports Challenge; in the United Kingdom the Brentford Team actively supported breast cancer research; and across the United States and Canada funds were raised in support of United Way – to name a few.
In May this year, the earthquake in Sichuan, China caused great sadness to us all but especially to our Chinese colleagues. Employees from all of our offices in China donated to those in need and, with the WorleyParsons RMB1 million donation to the Chinese Red Cross, were able to donate over RMB1.25 million. Donations also came from our offices in Malaysia, Abu Dhabi, Canada and Australia.
In addition, MaisonWorleyParsons joined the relieve effort through the deployment of Mr Xu Yuning, an experienced construction manager, to support reconstruction work being undertaken by Operation Blessing International (OBI), a US-based humanitarian organization. Mr Xu Yuning played a leading site management role in the villages in Yuejin County and Yongming County, assisting OBI to rebuild damaged water supply systems, latrines and shower facilities as well as clear extensive rubble and debris.
