Helping communities tide over the pandemic
July 20, 2021
The pandemic has been a time of great suffering for people and communities across the globe. The loss of life due to Covid-19 has been catastrophic and left families reeling. The lockdowns and consequent limitations placed on movement of people impacted supplies of essentials. This short and lack of access was felt most by the weakest and most vulnerable – the poor and destitute.
Recognising the need to step up and lend a hand, Tata International teams across the world came together to contribute in any way they could.
The Tata International Metals team in the United Kingdom stepped forward to extend support to the communities in need. On behalf of the team, Mr John Caouki, Director – Steel Trading, made a donation for food, beverages and clothes to the Wimbledon Foodbank of the Trussell Trust of the UK.
In Zimbabwe, colleagues united to help fellow colleagues, who were facing severe hardships during the pandemic, by buying food hampers from Pick and Pay.
Colleagues at the Mozambique office promoted the message of eco conservation by planting trees at Machiquechique school in the city of Moatize, Tete province.
In Ghana, Tata International joined hands with the John Deere team to help those in need. Together at the start of the pandemic, they donated food and masks to those in need. In Tamale (North Ghana), where most of the farming community is concentrated, the team gathered the farmers and handed out 100 food parcels. The parcels contained rice, pasta, oil, fish cans, etc.
The team in Accra contributed funds to purchase 200 face masks and prepare 100 home-cooked meals. These were distributed to homeless and needy people on the streets, together with the 100 food parcels.
The joy and gratitude that the team witnessed encouraged them to continue the good work.
In March this year, the team extended its support to students of the Savelugu Orphanage and School for the Deaf. They donated 50 student mattresses, 100 food parcels of pasta, rice, vegetable oil, canned foods and Covid-19 preventive items including 400 face masks and 50 litres of hand sanitiser.
The team also organised food parcels to be cooked by a caterer for people in need. These parcels were then distributed to the poor and needy in parts of Accra. About 100 people benefitted from the gesture.
Most recently, made a generous donation to the Deaf and Dumb Orphanage in Tamale, which is in the northern region of Ghana. The items included mattresses, sanitiser, face masks and various food items.
The Leather Products team located in Chennai also pledged its support to the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Arcot (Tamil Nadu). Under its initiative, the team will look at improving the quality of education / vocational training, health and hygiene of the students. In the first phase, the focus has been placed on infrastructure development. In April 2021, work on constructing five toilets for students and teachers along was started. This will have a handwash facility, sanitary napkins dispenser and incinerator facility.
It is through gestures like these that Tata International is helping those who are most in need tide over the pandemic and helping further the Tata ethos of serving the communities in which we operate.
