Liquor company helps children in Mozambique get better access to education

Kweichow Moutai Group, a Chinese liquor producer, is sponsoring a school renovation project in an African country.

Until recently, a primary school in Maputo, Mozambique, for 425 students had only eight classrooms. The shortage forced students to attend school for only half a day, so that others could attend the same school during the other half.

Moutai has invested in a project to deal with the problem. The school's classroom capacity has been increased. The renovated campus was inaugurated on Nov 24, 2017.

Eight additional classrooms were built. In addition, two offices and recreational facilities were included in the project that cost 3 million yuan ($461,500).

Both students and school staff are excited about the renovated campus. During the opening ceremony, they welcomed Moutai executives with local traditional dance and handmade gifts.

"The program is a great attempt to improve local development and boost cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative," said Su Jian, Chinese ambassador to Mozambique.

The initiative encourages Chinese companies to launch philanthropic works in Africa. China Petrochemical Corp, or Sinopec, for instance, supported educational initiatives in Zambia and Tanzania. Sinopec set up an occupational training center for single mothers in Colombia, South America.

According to ChinaNews, China has provided $75 billion in financial aid for 1,673 projects across 51 African economies by 2011. Financial aid covers areas of debt relief, education, healthcare and over 20 other fields.

The elementary school project in Maputo has been Moutai's first involvement in charity in Africa. The company runs many projects in China already under its corporate social responsibility campaign.

Since 2012, the Chinese liquor producer has partnered with the China Youth Development Foundation to promote development of rural regions in China. In June 2017, it pledged 300 million yuan to a project to lift certain backward areas out of poverty.

Since Aug 22, 2017, Moutai has provided 5,000 yuan each to 20,000 students from financially vulnerable families. Since 2012, Moutai has donated 615 million yuan toward education expenses of 123,000 students.

"An opportunity to receive education will change the life of the students and their families," said Yuan Renguo, chairman of Kweichow Moutai Group.

"We will continue our efforts in Africa in promoting regional development and overall well-being," said Li Baofeng, general manager of Kweichow Moutai Group.

yangjun@chinadaily.com.cn; liuyukun@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 01/04/2018 page18)