Suez Cement Celebrates Holy Month of Ramadan with Employees and Local Communities

Cairo, September 20th 2007. As part of its corporate responsibility strategy, Suez Cement has initiated the project, “For the Smiles of our Children,” to improve the quality of life of children and their families living in Helwan and Tourah (located in southern Cairo), where two of its five plants are located. Partnering with Suez Cement on this project are the Cairo governorate and the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM), the highest Egyptian governmental authority entrusted in the areas of protection and child development. This project’s activities contribute to poverty eradication efforts and address community needs by providing access to quality basic infrastructure and services, especially in the field of education.

With the aim to promote understanding, appreciation and conservation of the natural environment, Suez Cement has supported environmental camps in ten preparatory and primary schools located in two target areas. Participants at the camps include approximately 200 students, 50 teachers, 25 local NGOs and religious leaders that help guide participant activities and facilitate the campaign. As a matter of fact, enhancing environmental awareness through environmental education is a key thrust of Suez Cement’s community initiatives. Suez Cement believes awareness-raising campaigns significantly contribute to preserving the natural environment for future generations and foster a sense of responsibility and proactive environmental citizenship.

Through a participatory approach in 2007, Suez Cement conducted a survey in cooperation with NCCM, local NGOs, schools, religious leaders, and youth centers to identify the needs of the target area. Suez Cement also supported several environmental and health awareness camps and organized many planting activities in close cooperation with the schools. Six schools and two medical clinics from the target area were revamped and equipped with basic facilities.

The holy month of Ramadan is a religious observance that takes place in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is considered the most venerated and blessed month of the Islamic year because this is when the Qoran was revealed. Because Suez Cement acknowledges the importance of dialogue with the local communities and its employees, the Company promoted several initiatives addressed to its employees and the local communities surrounding its plants. In keeping with the traditional spirit of Ramadan, SCGC has organized five iftars inside its five plants (Helwan, Tourah, Suez, El Minya and Kattameya). These events gather employees, managers and representatives from the local communities to break their fast together. Also during Ramadan, employees of Suez Cement distributed more than 1,000 food bags to poor families living near our plants. This project was implemented in cooperation with NCCM and local NGOs. 

Contact Heidelberg Materials - Egypt

Heidelberg Materials - Suez Cement S.A.E K30 Maadi/Ein Sokhna Road
2691 Cairo
Egypt