US coffee giant Starbucks has pledged to work with Chinese
organizations to provide 40 million yuan (US$5 million) to give
poor Chinese students from rural areas better access to
education.
Starbucks and the Soong Ching Ling Foundation (SCLF), a social
welfare organization set up in 1982 named after the late Chinese
leader Soong Ching Ling, on Tuesday signed an agreement to launch
the China Education Project in Beijing.
Starbucks donated 12 million yuan (US$1.5 million) to kick-start
the project at the signing ceremony.
According to the agreement, around 3,000 female teachers from
1,000 primary and middle schools in five western provinces will be
given training during the summer and winter holidays to improve
their teaching skills and provide them with updated learning
techniques.
"With the up-to-date training, more rural teachers will have the
skills necessary to inspire these young minds and help them learn,"
said Yu Guilin, the SCLF vice chairman.
Echoing Yu's remarks, Starbucks' Chairman Howard Schultz
emphasized that Starbucks are passionate about its commitment to
the community after entering into the Chinese market.
"As China is making efforts to build a harmonious society,
attaching great importance to education, we hope our efforts can
contribute towards this process," Schultz said.
According to Schultz, 300 schools will be provided with books,
computers, teaching tools and upgraded sports facilities.
The SCLF has seen a rapid increase of donations since 2003 with
the total exceeding 60 million yuan (US$7.5 million) for poor
students.
(Xinhua News Agency February 15, 2006)
