NEWS
ANOTHER HAPPY VILLAGE IN TOGO: WATER AND CROPS ALL YEAR ROUND
Pedrollo has always listened very carefully to the voices of those who through the gift of water bring life and crops to even the driest corners of Africa, far away from big business interests. Several months ago our company sent twelve water pumps to the village of Aklakou in Togo, where the Ursuline Sisters work under the direction of Sister M. Salesia Vinco.
"I hope that work on the wells will soon be finished: the well shown in my photo will supply water for fifteen girls who are boarders in our school building", the nun wrote to us, informing us of the progress of their small aid centre, "Afterwards we will build the reservoirs where sufficient water will be stored using the pumps, powered by a small and inexpensive petrol-driven generator".
Sister M. Salesia is not put off by the hard work and difficulty of cultivating land as hard as it is beautiful, and is already looking forward to future projects: "Wells in the fields will give a more plentiful tomato crop throughout the year, thanks to irrigation and the sun's heat. The farmers will all meet the costs of digging the wells, and a portion of the harvest will be allocated to bring hope to other families".
PEDROLLO AND BENEFACTORS FROM VERONA FILL A CONTAINER TO AID HAITI
Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world, suffering from a dramatic poverty and natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, one of which, most recently, has compounded the misery and despair conditions into which the island lives.. This is why we need to constantly support the people, with social initiatives as well as with food, a commitment that Pedrollo fulfils by supporting the fathers of the Order of St. Camillus in Port-au-Prince.
Even recently, thanks to the work of volunteers and philanthropists from Verona, coordinated by Giovanna Negriolli, a container was prepared and directed to the Bethléem Foyer, a facility that houses children up to 15 years, all suffering from severe physical and mental disabilities, and therefore all the more in need of assistance. The helpfulness of volunteers, as we show in the photo, has allowed to accelerate the filling of the container, which was then sent by our company.
It was then possible to send 25 hundred kilos of semolina pasta, three hundred kilos of sugar and five of rice, one hundred kilos of beans and one of tomato sauce, 10 hundred kilos of flour donated by a benefactor and above all 15 hundred kilos of diapers, a product that in Haiti is almost impossible to find and in any case sold to an unsustainable price.
CULTURE, WORK AND SOCIAL PROMOTION FOR A SOLID PROGRESS IN ALBANIA
Albania is so close to us, yet still so far away. Pedrollo is closely linked with the so called "Land of Eagles", having accompanied the first difficult steps of the Country towards freedom and economic, social and cultural development, and even considering it an important market whose growth must be supported. There is still much to do on the road leading to a balanced and sustainable progress.
"We are a community of Dominican Sisters of Blessed Imelda,", so begins a letter arrived in the company and which shows that in Albania there are many people who are involved in spreading the progress. The sisters, working in the small town of Bathore, have posted some pictures of the village and the activities that take place in it.
On behalf of her sisters, Sister Gabriella Lorenzon thanks for having received from Pedrollo a pump that will make it more comfortable life of the inhabitants, and tells how the retailer company has acted quickly by sending a worker to fix the pump, "which now works fine - she says - so much so that we are using it continuously". "Albanians are young people, suffering because of the sad story that affects the past 500 years of the Country - adds Gabriella -. We do not spare any effort to involve young people with catechesis, to help as much as possible the poorest and to hold courses aimed at the social advancement of women".
SENEGAL, THE PUMPS BY PEDROLLO STOP THE EXODUS FROM THE VILLAGES AFFECTED BY DROUGHT
In Senegal, in the heart of Sahel, is the Ndem community, in an area threatened by severe drought and a desert that gradually pushes people to leave the country to seek refuge in the towns, finding even more disadvantaged conditions. But hope is not yet waned: under the guidance of local sages an association was in fact created that brought together 14 villages to fight against degradation, support agriculture and thus providing he inhabitants a sufficient income to live.
An effort in which also Pedrollo is actively involved, sending some pumps that feed the wells to ensure a steady flow of water. "I saw the new well with the pump sent by Pedrollo - witnessed the voluntary Valeria Marchesini back to Italy from Senegal -. In a few days the water will come out clean from the well, and the operations aimed a creating two ducts, feeding two other villages
near Ndem, have already started".
A practical cooperation, an example of solidarity among human beings: "There are no words - said the volunteer - to express the joy of the people: in Africa I have learnt how precious water is, while we tend to take everything for granted and lose the value of essential things". Thanks to the commitment and help of partners and supporters today's life in Ndem is improving, with the creation of jobs and new opportunities for not having to flee from poverty.
PEDROLLO SUPPORTS THE "PROGETTO ICARO", FRIENDLY SCHOOL FOR NEEDY YOUNG PEOPLE
Pedrollo has helped to support the "Progetto Icaro", created together with some local schools to offer career guidance, motivation, trouble prevention and school dropout avoidance to problematic pupils, in order not to have to expel them from the educational path. One of these students wrote a touching letter to Pedrollo.
"I am happy to tell you how my life changed in a short time. So far the school had been a bad experience: I was uncomfortable, different, a bully. I was - he writes - the thorn in the side of all the teachers, but this ... just excited me! I did not feel understood and believed that my role was just annoying: it was the only stimulus I had".
"But all changed when they told me that I risked losing again the school year. A teacher told me about the Progetto Icaro, a school where I could finally be myself, without having to be the nasty guy. Here the adults do not want us to change, they do not always blame us, we're not forced to be different".
"Today I was fired. Yes, I'm not yet working and they fire me... It actually means that the school is over and I too can face the future. Firing sounds like a sad word, but in this case it means happiness, as I looked like a bad guy but I was not. And now I have a future awaiting me".
FROM PEDROLLO AN AID TO BANGLADESH AGAINST THE "CLUBFOOT" SYDROME
There is a terrible and debilitating disease, also known in the West, but that in the Third World affects a very high percentage of children, especially boys: it's called "Congenital clubfoot". As said it is a congenital deformity involving one foot (or both), that, when affected, looks like it has been rotated internally, with the tiptoe down, rigid and deformed. Such a serious condition makes it impossible to walk properly, and over time the pain increases and the functionality of the limb is severely compromised.
In Bangladesh, one of the most affected countries, the "Zero Clubfoot Project" was founded, an association that aims at reducing the incidence of this disease through the adoption of modern surgical and orthopaedic techniques, less invasive and more likely to succeed. Pedrollo took up the plea for help of a business partner, Nader Khan, and was keen to support the project, which aims at reducing the problems of families and of nearly one thousand children born each year affected by the "clubfoot" in the area of Chittagong.
IN AFRICA WATER IS STILL A RIGHT DENIED FOR FOUR PEOPLE OUT OF TEN
For millions of Africans water is still a mirage and we cannot just sit on our hands. In Sub-Saharan area the access to the "blue gold" is a fundamental human right still denied to more than 40% of the population. Without water there is no health or development, damage to agriculture are incalculable, livestock dies, the schools are closed and families suffer since women are far away for hours in search of water, leaving the children unattended.
The lack of clean water is linked to 80% of diseases and the cost amounts to 5% of Sub-Saharan Africa wealth per year. In the hospitals, more than half of patients suffer from diseases caused by using contaminated water, with fatal consequences, especially for children: those with less than five years are malnourished, while clean water would reduce the mortality rate by more than 20 %. This is why wells, tanks and waterworks must be built, also to protect the springs, involving local communities in the construction, maintenance and management of water sources.
Bring water in Africa means broadening the base of those involved and the formation of technical and management committees within the communities the projects are intended for. Only in this way the wells are experienced as assets the community is responsible for and are long-lasting. But we must also strengthen the role of women in decisions that affect the development of the community: in Africa it is women who pay the highest price of the lack of water, and it is only by providing them with a social presence that the right to water will finally become a reality.
PEDROLLO'S EMPLOYEES VOLUNTARY WORK, A GIFT AND AN EXAMPLE FOR ALL OF US
An enterprise is not only a workplace, but in many respects is a mirror of society. It is strong when based on high and durable values, it is efficient if all its components so are, looks to the future with confidence if it has solid roots and believes in innovation and excellence. And above all is united and everyone work well together only if all share common goals and are useful to each other.
For this reason the results that a company gets depend on the quality of products and service, but at the same time on the commitment and helpfulness of those who work there, that positive energy resource that multiplies the results, a great source of resolution and vitality that does not only ends in everyday work, but also involves the others.
From the stories of those who work there Pedrollo turns out to be a quiet and serene environment, but also strong and aware of the many colleagues who, having completed their commitments in the company, carry out a constant and meritorious volunteer work: whether it's in health care organizations providing relief and assistance, supporting local communities, joining their religious beliefs to open ways to study and leisure initiatives... what matters is the choice of "giving" in itself.
Uncountable examples of altruism and cohesion by Pedrollo, that makes it an example of sensitivity in its social activity, being at the same time enriched by the welfare of all in view of a peaceful future that depends on gestures that are extraordinary in their normality. Such as: work in the best possible way, collaborate with co-workers, contribute to growth.
A UN SUMMIT WILL BE HELD IN RIO,WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF GUARANTEEING THE MINIMUM THRESHOLD OF DRINKING WATER
The “Rio+20” Conference, organized by UNCSD (United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development), will take place in Brazil on 20th -22nd June.
It will mark the 20th anniversary of the 1992 Earth Summit and the 10th anniversary of the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, and it will be a chance to verify the state of the art of the commitments undertaken during the previous meetings.
Water will be one of the major issues addressed during the conference, as well as food security and sustainable agriculture, the reduction of the disaster risk, green jobs and social inclusion, sustainable cities, energy and the health of the oceans.
The minimum per capita quantity of drinking water has been defined as 20 litres per day, but nowadays one person out of six has no access to this minimum threshold.
1.7 billion people have gained access to safe drinking water since 1990, but 884 million people are still without it.
Bringing drinking water to everyone will help defeat poverty and encourage development and it is one of the main objectives that inspire Pedrollo’s social commitment in poor countries
THE LIGHT IS SHINING IN TOGO VILLAGES THANKS TO GENERATORS DONATED BY PEDROLLO
Elisabetta Scaglioni, who has been a missionary in Togo for years, has witnessed important improvements carried out in the village where she works thanks to Pedrollo’s donations.
The Amici del Togo Associationin Verona arranged for the generators to be sent to the village Ikotadi, where they were received with a joyful welcome. Elisabetta announced that a long-time dream had come true and electricity had finally come to the village.
It is important to remember that electricity is a normal part of our lives today whereas it is a total luxury in so many villages in Africa, where people live their daily lives conditioned by sunlight.
Once the equipment and the experts were financed, the villagers found and erected the pylons for the electronic cables.
The words of the missionary were very emotional when she said “Christmas Eve brought the miracle of light to the dark nights in the village…A unique moment that will undoubtedly be remember forever by anyone.”
SCHOLARSHIPS FUNDED BY PEDROLLO TO THE BEST STUDENTS OF LIUC UNIVERSITY
The Pedrollo Company strongly believes in the importance of University Education, which it continuously supports through scholarship funding. The Pedrollo cooperation with LIUC University (http://www.liuc.it/default.asp) in particular, is becoming more and more consolidated. Pedrollo has funded 3 scholarships so far, one in Business Administration, one in Law and one in Industrial Management.
The University Rector Mr Lazzari thanked Pedrollo for the donations and said that “Giving responsibilities to young people help them develop their own professional inclinations and ultimately contribute to social development.”
Mr Sanavio, present at the University ceremony on behalf of Mr Pedrollo, highlighted the role of culture, education and professional opportunities to overcome economic crises. He invited students to“ Cultivate a hands-on approach, take your first steps and make your own working experiences as soon as the occasion arises. Your dreams represent the hope for a better future.”
PEDROLLO SUPPORTS THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG BANGLADESHI GIRLS
Pedrollo strongly believes in Education and Culture as the prime mover for a Country development. This principle becomes even more significant when applied to young girls, so often neglected in the societies of developing countries.
To address this issue, Pedrollo has recently built a new school in Khulshi, a suburb of Chittagong (Bangladesh) thus welcoming the invitation of its long-standing local partner, Nader Khan. Here a very plain construction has been converted into a brand new three-storey building, hosting around 750 girls who regularly attend classes from kindergarten to secondary school.
Pedrollo is also funding the Cider International School in Chittagong, one of the most prestigious English medium schools of Bangladesh, with the aim of limiting the brain-drain phenomenon, a plague afflicting the country’s economy by depriving it of its human potential.
PRESENTATION DEGREE HONORIS CAUSA TO SILVANO PEDROLLO
JUNE 2011 – POLYTECHNIC OF TIRANA
On the occasion of the XX (twentieth) anniversary of Silvano Pedrollo’s presence in Albania, the Polytechnic of Tirana gives a Degree Honoris Causa to the ambassador Pedrollo. Albania shows his gratitude towards a man and a company which made a lot of things for the country in support of men, science and university. Silvano Pedrollo – says the first councillor of the italian embassy in Albania – is the ambassador of the “better Italy”, that, with his generousity, expresses the joy to give to the others, sign of real richness, not only material, but also interior.
A VALUABLE COMMITMENT: MEETING BETWEEN SCHOLARSHIP DONORS AND THEIR BENEFICIARIES
25 MAY 2011 - CARLO CATTANEO UNIVERSITY – LIUC, CASTELLANZA
Cattaneo University has been a reality since 1991 and the companies that pushed for its establishment initially continue to support it now in various ways: by providing scholarships, hosting students in training courses, participating in lectures and meetings with undergraduates through management testimonies. Pedrollo is among the companies that support LIUC’s projects.
In this video students tells us what working in close contact with the business sector means for their professional and personal growth.
INAUGURATION OF THE "PEDROLLO" LECTURE ROOM
TIRANA UNIVERSITY - 4 MARCH 2011
