CWS Foundation brings its heart to the Ministry of Health

On Friday 9th March 2007, the Cable & Wireless Seychelles Foundation once again extended a helping hand to the community, this time to the Ministry of Health, in the form of a donation to the Paediatric Ward of the Victoria Hospital.

A number of Cable & Wireless employees walked up to the Red Roof building of the Victoria Hospital to participate in a short, but heartfelt ceremony that culminated in the handing over of items such as cushions, fridges, TV sets and other gifts worth over SR25, 000.00 to the Paediatric Ward.  In the presence of other top officials from the Ministry of Health, the Principal Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Jude Gedeon, accepted the donation from Cable & Wireless’ Interim CEO, Mr. Charles Hammond.

In a short speech before officially handing over the items, Mr. Hammond highlighted the role of the Foundation and its achievements since it was launched in 2005.  He said: “Today we bring our hearts to the Ministry of Health and we are very proud to extend ‘A helping hand to the Paediatric Ward’”.  He further added “It is our hope that this tangible assistance will help improve the quality of life, but more importantly, inspire hope and positive energy to the patients and provide a more conducive ‘get well’ environment.”

Following the ceremony, the Cable & Wireless team, headed by Interim CEO Hammond toured the Paediatric Ward distributing gifts and balloons to the children patients whilst chatting with them and with the staff of the Ward. To spice up the visit, the company had organised one of its staff members to dress up as a clown, which had a positive impact.

Working under the slogan, “A helping hand for a stronger community”, the Cable & Wireless Seychelles Foundation is designed to meet 3 key objectives:

1.To establish and build partnerships with charitable and community organizations focusing on groups with “special needs”.

2. To actively contribute in the strengthening of communities in which we live and work.

3. To enhance the Cable & Wireless brand by promoting its role as a responsible corporate citizen.

The Foundation is positioned as an extra to Cable & Wireless’ normal sponsorships but with added focus on a few critical areas. On a regular basis the Foundation provides support, primarily in the form of “donations in kind” or financial assistance where relevant. To date, it has pro-actively sought and identified specific areas that were in need of assistance, which was provided to the School of the Exceptional Child, local orphanages and to the Disabled of Praslin & La Digue.  The Foundation also part-funded the Anse Royale Children’s Playground, made a donation to the new Silhouette School and sponsored production of leaflets and posters for the “Know More About Heroin” Campaign that was undertaken by CARE in 2006.  Also in 2006, the Foundation sponsored the NCC Child Protection Week held on Praslin and initiated a “Clean up the Beach” activity involving members of Cable & Wireless management.

March 16, 2007
Copyright 2007: Seychelles Weekly, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles