Ford India has started a social initiative in Chennai called the Operation Goodwill with a grant of US Dollars 250,000 (approx. Rs. 1.37 Crore) for development and improvement of educational infrastructure in the communities around the Ford India operations in Chennai. This grant will focus on developing skills among rural women, improve the educational infrastructure, basic sanitation and hygiene in these regions and communities. This will improve the learning among the students in these regions which is a very thoughtful social cause. This initiative has been taken by Ford India in partnership with GlobalGiving Foundation which is an NGO which is very active in social work across the world.
One of these new initiatives includes up to 20 after-school tutoring centers near Ford Chennai’s Manufacturing facility to coach government school students to improve their learning abilities. This initiative is taken in partnership with Aid India. Ford is also working with a society called TARA for building school and community toilets as well as providing village water filters. Going further, Ford will also tied up with village schools to provide them with better stocked laboratories at two government schools.
image credits – GlobalGiving
Michael Boneham, president and managing director, Ford India quoted:
“As Ford continues to grow and expand in India, we believe it is our obligation to give back, particularly in the communities where we have operations. Our business philosophy is to empower our workforce and give them the tools and training needed to build top quality vehicles. With Operation Goodwill, our aim is likewise to help empower our local communities, providing the tools and training to improve quality of life.”
In partnership with its dealers, Ford India has also trained 4500 drivers since launch of Ford Motor Company’s successful Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) training programme that educates new and older licensed drivers of all ages on safer, economical and eco-friendly driving practices. Ford has also been named as the largest Voluntary Blood Donor in the Industrial Category in Tamil Nadu for 10 consecutive years (from 2000-2010) and has been the recipient of the Red Cross trophy. Ford India also recently initiated a pledge campaign for promoting safe, eco-friendly and more responsible driving habits. Check out some more Ford India news here.
