La Loma, April 4, 2023
In partnership with the Mayor of Chiriguana, Drummond Ltd. continues to contribute to the quality of education through school infrastructure improvement projects that have benefited 13 schools in the community over the past 6 months. In the first phase, infrastructure improvements and adaptations have been delivered to 7 out of the 13 schools planned: Manuel German Cuello School (three campuses), Rafael Argote Vega School, Juan Mejia Gomez School (campus 7) and the El Paraiso School in Agua Fria.
“From the start of this administration, we put priority on improving the schools in Chiriguana. Now there are 13 schools that have been improved under this agreement. We hope to continue in 2023 to strengthen the schools and the educational community,” said Yilda Tatiana Pineda, senior supervisor of community relations for Drummond in Cesar.
Work at the schools included improvements to infrastructure and electrical systems, construction and installation of an elevated water storage tank, roof repairs, and improvements to doors, windows and walls. Air conditioners and fans were also donated.
As a result, more than 5,500 students at the various schools will benefit from improved conditions in their school environment, allowing them to experience their school days in optimal conditions and with the tools they need.
Juan Carlos Costa, a teacher at El Paraiso School, Agua Fria Campus, expressed his gratitude during the ceremony: “Thank you to Drummond for doing its part and helping us, for beautifying our school, because we really needed it. Since I arrived in 2010, I have never seen anything like this. I’m really happy, and I told the kids and the parents, ‘We have to take care of these spaces.’ That’s a commitment.”
The mining company invested more than 437 million pesos in the project, covering the total cost of the work. The municipal government, led by Mayor Carlos Camaño, was responsible for technical support, supervision and follow-up of the project.
“Before, you didn’t see anything like this happen. Now, thanks to God, to Drummond, and the Mayor, they have remembered us in the project for homes and for improving schools for kids, which is good for the entire community, with the fans and the improvements,” said Fulgencio Caballero, legal representative of the Altagracia Meneses Mejia Community Council in the district of Agua Fria.
Through its social responsibility strategy, Drummond will continue to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals – in this case the goal of Quality Education – by helping improve educational facilities in public schools in the region.