Corporate Social Responsibility Press Release
provided by 
11.18.2008 - 08:00am ET
News from:
Trilogy International Partners
Voilà, a Subsidiary of Trilogy International Partners, is Finalist for the Corporate Citizen of the Americas Award
Voilà's Corporate Citizenship Program, "Education for Success," is Chosen Among Hundreds of Submissions From Corporations Around the World
(CSRwire) PORT-AU-PRINCE,HAITI. - November 18, 2008 - Voilà, a
telecommunications company in Haiti, the leading company in Haiti for
social investment and a subsidiary of Trilogy International
Partners, is a top ten finalist for a prestigious corporate social
responsibility (CSR) award bestowed by the Organization of American
States (OAS) from hundreds of submissions. The award, titled the
Corporate Citizen of the Americas (CCA) award, honors companies who
have the most innovative and effective social investment programs
benefitting the community in which they operate. From hundreds of
submissions, Voilà has been chosen as a finalist for its
Education For Success program.
The first place award and two honorable mentions will be announced at the
OAS Annual Gala, a black tie event, in Washington, DC on November
20. The goal of the CCA Award is to encourage other companies to be
inspired by and implement socially responsible practices.
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. It has an 80%
unemployment rate, a 60% illiteracy rate, and it does not export any
product more than it imports. Half of the country's population of 8
million lives on $1 per day, a level designated by the UN as "extreme
poverty." But while this country is enduring such poverty, it is bursting
with culture, pride and hope.
From a CSR perspective, Voilà believes in an obligation to give
back to communities in ways that provide sustainable and long lasting
developmental tools using education as the platform to create a culture of
excellence. Voilà believes that education for youth is the key to
moving a country forward, out of poverty and into a productive place that
can generate economic growth and viability. Under this platform,
Voilà supports programs through NGO partners in schools, the arts,
technology, environment, sports and food production, most notably with NGO
partner Yele Haiti,
musician Wyclef Jean's foundation.
"From the outset, Voilà proudly believed that a strong program to
aid our disadvantaged population in Haiti is as critical an organizational
value as the firm commitment to provide quality services to its clients",
said Bernard Fils-Aime, President, Voilà Foundation. "Being a
finalist for the Trust for the Americas' Corporate Citizen of the Americas
Award is an important validation and recognition of our efforts."
Around the world, the private sector is playing an increasingly important
role in developing solutions to overcome poverty. Since launching in
2005, Voilà's programs have grown to benefit thousands of deserving
Haitians with a special focus on youth. The private sector plays a
critical role in community development in poverty stricken countries, and
it is Voilà's belief that it is the private sector, both domestic
and international, that can provide the engine for economic growth and
development in Haiti. Voilà believes it is good business to invest
in the future of the country in which one does business.
Following are Voilà's active projects in
Haiti: - Installation of wireless internet computer labs
with USAID and Conatel
- University scholarships for Haiti's best and brightest students
with Yele Haiti and the Haitian Education Leadership Program
- Youth Soccer with Yele Haiti and L'Athletique d'Haiti
- Primary school scholarships with Yele Haiti and Fonds de
Parrainage National
- Basketball courts and tournaments with J'Aime Haiti
- Environmental education to "Pas Coupe Les Bois!" with Yele
Haiti and Fondation Seguin
- Environmental education in schools
- Responding to the food crisis, providing farmers with seed and
fertilizer, and doing food distributions, with Yele Haiti
- Teaching children non-violence with KALM
- Free outdoor evening cinema in the slums with Yele Haiti
- Supporting a theatre festival with Fokal
- Education and vocational training for the youth in the boy's
prison with Yele Haiti and Prodev
- Supporting women's associations in developing businesses to
produce and sell food with Yele Haiti
- Donating a percentage of Toupatou sales to Yele Haiti
- Sending Haitian students to the UN to present their ideas for a
better Haiti
- Telecommunications support for NGOs
- Serving the disables community through Voilà store
ramps, special disabled phones and proactive employment of disabled
persons
- Building windmills for wind powered energy, eliminating the
need for diesel fuel and decreasing harm to the environment
- Disaster relief efforts through monetary and item donations,
manpower and telecommunications products and services
Following are Voilà's completed projects
- Rehabilitation of 20 schools in Gonaives with Yele Haiti and
the Pan American Development Foundation
- Sponsorship of YéleFest 2006 and 2007, Wyclef Jean's free
concerts in Haiti, with Yele Haiti
- Over-20 soccer tournament with Yele Haiti
- Teacher training with Yele Haiti and Centre d'Apprentissage et
de Formation pour la Transformation
Voilà's vision of CSR does
not stop at giving back. First and foremost, Voilà believes that
CSR begins with how a company generates income and conducts business,
particularly in the utmost respect for its customers, in maintaining fair
employment practices including promoting the hiring of physically
challenged individuals, and in the strict adherence to its contractual
obligations with the Government of Haiti as mandated by its license.
Since its entry into the Haitian market, Voilà has held highly
transparent business practices and has become a model of social
responsibility and an active member of the business community. This is
also demonstrated by the fact that Voilà has been the number one
taxpayer in the country for the past four years.
About Communication Cellulaire d'Haiti S.A. (ComCEL) d/b/a/
Voilà
ComCEL launched services in Haiti in 1999, and provides high-quality
affordable wireless service throughout Haiti under the Voilà brand
name. Services include pre-paid, post-paid, public telephony and fixed
wireless. International services include remittances, pre-paid long
distance, pre-paid calling cards and electronic top up. Information about
Voilà can be found at www.voila.ht and http://www.FamilyInThe509.com.
For more information please contact:
Gwynne Beatty, Media contact
for Voilà and Trilogy International Partners
917-992-9517
News Categories:
Community Development and Ratings & Awards
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