Dole plants fruits of social responsibility via partnership to build Ecuador school

Oct 1, 2007 12:00 PM

In an unprecedented partnership, Bama Gruppen (Norway), Bend It (Norwegian juvenile organization sponsored by Bama), Fenacle (Ecuador agricultural workers' organization), the Marcelino Maridueña municipality, UBESA (Dole's subsidiary in Ecuador), the Dale Foundation (sponsored by Dole and banana growers), and Dole Food Co Inc broke ground recently at the construction site for a new school.

The school is being constructed for the Río Viejo Community in Ecuador under the slogan “Unidos por el Desarollo de Nuestra Ninez,” which means “United for the Development of our Children.” This joint project will be fully and equally financed by Dole and Bama.

Dole's Education Program, initiated in 2001 with the construction of its first school, grows stronger with this project. The new “Ecuador Pais Amazónico” school will provide students with a modern building infrastructure including well-ventilated classrooms, spaces for recreational activities, a teachers' room, a kitchen, and a cafeteria. The school will serve more than 300 children from the Río Viejo Community and surrounding areas.