Ngolos Honeywell Elementary School Opens Its Doors to Students in the Philippines
Los Angeles, Calif. (PRWEB) March 24, 2015 -- Operation USA, a Los Angeles-based international relief agency, in partnership with Honeywell, today announces the grand opening of the Ngolos Honeywell Elementary School in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, in the Philippines. The community school replaces a facility damaged by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in November 2013.
Ngolos Honeywell Elementary School, which is staffed by eight teachers and serves more than 250 students in kindergarten through sixth grade, is more than 6,000 square feet in size and includes eight classrooms, an administrative office, two bathrooms, a playground and a basketball court. The school was designed to withstand winds up to 155 miles (250 kilometers) per hour, and has been designated as an evacuation center for the residents of Ngolos Barangay in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. Honeywell will continue to support the project through a 5-year term agreement.
Alex Pollack, Honeywell President of Indonesia, led the grand opening ceremony, joined by Richard Walden, CEO of Operation USA, and several project members and dignitaries, including: Christopher Sheen Gonzales, Mayor of Guiuan; Annaliza Gonzales Kwan, former Mayor of Guiuan; Kerry Kennedy, Director of Honeywell Hometown Solutions; and Esperanza Esquierdo, Ngolos Honeywell Elementary School Principal.
“Our children now have a beautiful school that will serve all future generations,” said Mayor Gonzales. “Thank you so much Honeywell and Operation USA for providing a safe and comfortable learning environment for the children.”
In the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, widely regarded as the largest storm ever to make landfall, Operation USA aided immediate relief efforts with the shipment of water purification tablets and other supplies to impacted communities before focusing long-term recovery efforts on the hard hit coastal municipality of Guiuan. The organization partnered with Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative, for the school reconstruction project. More than 1,800 Honeywell employees supported the project by contributing to the Honeywell Humanitarian Relief Fund, which provides direct support to Honeywell employees and communities in need when a natural disaster strikes.
“Honeywell has demonstrated unwavering commitment to recovery efforts in the Philippines and without them this vital project could not have been realized," said Walden. "We are honored to see the positive impact this project has had on the entire community of Guiuan, and we are proud to remain committed to the area in the months and years ahead.”
Operation USA has supported programs in the Philippines since 1986, providing health care support and famine relief as well as aiding disaster relief efforts following typhoons and other natural disasters.
The organization has previously implemented programs supporting education in disaster-stricken communities in the United States, Haiti, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, China, India and Rwanda.
Honeywell has been a valued corporate partner—supporting Operation USA’s programs in several countries—since 2005.
“Honeywell helps to rebuild the lives of our employees and the communities affected by natural disasters,” said Pollack. “It is our hope that with the support of Honeywell Hometown Solutions and Operation USA, we can bring normalcy back to the children and families.”
To contribute to Operation USA’s ongoing recovery programs worldwide visit give.opusa.org or call 1-800-678-7255.
Photos and video available upon request.
ABOUT OPERATION USA:
Founded in 1979, Operation USA helps communities alleviate the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty by providing privately funded relief, reconstruction and development aid throughout the world. The Los Angeles based non-government organization offers material and financial assistance to community-based organizations that promote sustainable development, leadership and capacity building, income generating activities, education, health services, and advocacy on behalf of vulnerable people. Learn more and donate at http://www.opusa.org.
ABOUT HONEYWELL HOMETOWN SOLUTIONS
Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative, focuses on five areas of vital importance: Family Safety & Security, Housing & Shelter, Science & Math Education, Habitat & Conservation, and Humanitarian Relief. Together with leading public and non-profit institutions, Honeywell has developed powerful programs to address these needs in the communities it serves. For more information, please visit http://www.honeywell.com/citizenship.
ABOUT HONEYWELL
Honeywell (http://www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. Today, Honeywell is working closely with local distributors and dealers to provide products and services in the Philippines. Honeywell CEASA (Subic Bay) Company, Inc. employs about 20 employees locally. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit http://www.honeywellnow.com/.
PRESS CONTACTS:
Mary Dolan
Operation USA
mdolan(at)opusa(dot)org
323-413-2353
Kerry Kennedy
Honeywell
Kerry(dot)kennedy(at)honeywell(dot)com
973-455-4087
###
Mary Dolan, Operation USA, http://www.opusa.org, +1 (323) 413-2353, [email protected]
Share this article