Bangkok--6 Aug--Hill & Knowlton
For three decades since its inception, Banpu Public Company Limited has adhered to its business credo: “an industry will be strong only when it is developed in tandem with social and environmental responsibilities”. The Company, therefore, has focused on implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs at the corporate level by encouraging its employees to actively be part of its CSR campaigns.
In 2013, Banpu initiated the “30 years, 30 CSR Ideas” program to commemorate its 30th anniversary. The program encouraged Banpu employees from both the Bangkok Head office and its northern mine site to work together across departmental functions to develop their own CRS projects that contribute to society, community, and the environment. In the end, there were a total of 50 CSR projects conducted in many parts of the country, more than was originally expected. Each project was financially supported by the company with 5,000-15,000 Baht.
This year, Banpu continued the momentum of social contribution by hosting “Banpu Punfun Punyim”, the activity that brought together more than 70 employees in the spirit of volunteering. They constructed a school building and organized extra-curriculum activities for students of Ban Don Yai Nong Sano School in Dankhuntod District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The school had been struggling to accommodate an ever increasing number of students in its old building and had insufficient funds for the construction of a new replacement building.
Banpu Company Limited Head of Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Udomlux Olarn, said, “We at Banpu honestly believe that our business will grow sustainably and profitably when we can show similar social development in our communities; in education and in environmental conservation. We believe it is our responsibility. We have developed our CSR projects in these areas. Banpu Punfun Punyim is another educational development program that demonstrates our Corporate core values of “Banpu Spirit”. It not only shows “care” for youth and society, but also commits to promote “synergy", another of our core values, among different generations of employees.
Banpu Punfun Punyim aimed to promote employee involvement across various functions, based on their best skills, to organize activities giving students fun and learning time outside the classrooms. These activities included joining with community members to construct the new school building; planting organic vegetables and learning how to produce homemade organic fertilizer with an expert in the field; preparing lunch for students; and educating children with fun games and tale-telling. Punfun Punyim put smiles on the children's faces as they laughed along to all these ‘edutainment’ activities, which also gave a sense of joy and pride among the Banpu employees involved. Furthermore, Banpu employees managed to put together their own donation of 90,000 baht to buy 150 sets of gym uniforms for students, while the amount remaining became seed money to set up a lunch fund.
Miss Chanapa Keawsapsak from Banpu's Financial Department said, “I have been involved in Banpu CSR projects for the past four years. Banpu Punfun Punyim was a part of our “30 years, 30 CSR Ideas” program that has been organized from last year. We brainstormed ideas and worked together for over a month. We also generated funding for schools that could not afford new gym uniforms. We feel we were acting from the heart under Banpu’s “Do by Heart” approach because we believe that small things can change our society for the better and these activities would help bring employees together from all parts of the organization to work in harmony with each other. It also makes us proud to be representing Banpu in being able to contribute to the society.”
The Director of Ban Don Yai Nong Sano School, Mr. Likit Suriyo, responded saying, “We are a small primary school and have been struggling to provide classes to our 150 students. We did not have sufficient funds to repair our 50-year-old building. The majority of students' parents are farmers so they cannot support the school financially. Therefore, Banpu’s fund definitely responds to our needs. We would like to thank Banpu for the contribution and for organizing today's activities of knowledge and joy".
Udomlux Olarn, Head of Corporate Affairs, Banpu Plc, concluded, “Although Banpu’s revenue comes from overseas operations, we are a Thai company that for the past 30 years has continuously committed to giving back and making a difference for Thai society.. We hope that the new building and learning equipment for Ban Don Yai Nong Sano School will enhance their sustainable development. Banpu is very pleased to be able to contribute.”