Sunshine Technology is supporting a number of social initiatives in communities surrounding its forestry and bio-energy ventures in China, including the repair of a school, distribution of an employment guide and the establishment of a community forestry project.
Sunshine Technology has committted to donate RMB 200,000 ($US30,000) towards the redevelopment of Da Ping village school in Tongnan county, near the sites of its forestry ventures in Chongqing.
Da Ping village school with roof damage in the background
The school is old and has a severely damaged roof. A new school had been proposed but the local village head Mr Tang Yiong Xiang does not have the funds available for construction. The donation will allow the existing school to be brought up to a standard that allows it to continue operating.
The damage to the school is not a result of the recent major earthquake in Sichuan province. But the quake did highlight the plight of schools in the region, many of which suffered heavier damage than surrounding buildings.
Da Ping school kids in the classroom
Sunshine Technology recognises how important such a charitable gift is to the Da Ping community and the company feels the contribution reflects the shared future between it and local community, coinciding as it does with the beginning of the planting programme in Tongnan in 2008.
In June, the company agreed with the China Disabled Persons Federation (CDPF) to purchase 100 copies of Employment Guide for the Disabled for distribution in Honghe prefecture in Yunnan province, the location of another of Sunshine Technology's venture sites in China. The guide is designed to help those in the local community with disabilities make the most of growing job opportunities in the region.
In the same month, China ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the CDPF is helping implement required reforms around the country.
In early July, the guide books were purchased by Sunshine Technology and delivered to the local CDPF office in Honghe. The company is pleased to be involved in this early, practical example of the UN convention at work in China. Further public welfare activities are planned in other fields.
Our representative delivers employment guides to Honghe authorities
Sunshine Technology has also donated an initial RMB 100,000 to the Yunnan Green Environment Development Foundation (YGF). YGF was co-founded by the Yunnan Forestry Administration Bureau and Conservation International in 2008 as a non-profit organisation. Its aim is to strengthen eco-biodiversity and stimulate sustainable development in Yunnan.
The company is currently in discussions with YGF on the possibility of further funding for a community forestry project in Yunnan, aimed at reforestation of degraded land at a number of sites. It is envisaged that the project would be designed to improve local expertise in forest protection and lay the foundation for a sustainable forestry industry in the region.
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