Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Sae-A Trading opens school for Haiti children
Sae-A Trading Chairman Kim Woong-ki, sixth from right, cuts the tape with other dignitaries during a ceremony to celebrate the opening of Sae-A & Haiti School set up by Sae-A Foundation in Haiti, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Sae-A Trading
By Yi Whan-woo
By Yi Whan-woo
The philanthropic arm of Sae-A Trading has opened a school in Haiti as a part of its post-earthquake reconstruction efforts in the Caribbean country, the company said Monday.
Sae-A & Haiti (S&H) School is located close to a plant run by the Seoul-based apparel manufacturer in the Caracol Industrial Park, the firm said.
It added up to 400 children from kindergarten through Grade 9 for free under the support of the Sae-A Foundation.
The opening ceremony on March 26 drew diplomats, government officials, representatives from private firms and non-governmental organizations such as Inter-American Development Bank, according to Sae-A Trading.
They included Haiti President Michel Martelly; Ambassador of the United States to Haiti Pamela White; Chief Representative of Korea International Cooperation Agency’s Haiti office Oh Sae-chul; and Sae-A Trading Chairman Kim Woong-Ki.
Many S&H School students are children of employees at factories within the Caracol Industrial Park, including S&H Global operated by Sae-A Trading, the company said.
They are also from families living in the shelter houses at the Caracol-EKAM residential area that were built after the earthquake in January 2010, the company added.
“We put priority on investing in communities where we work,” said the Sae-A Trading chairman. “While our business investments create jobs and stimulate markets, we firmly believe that education is critical in ensuring a better life for future generations.”
Together with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the Sae-A Foundation has raised over $1 million for opening the school and for its long-term operations.
The Foundation is also working closely with the Haiti government and local stakeholders to ensure the school meets all requirements and provides quality education to its students.
The school has 25 staff, led by principal Jean Mirvil, a Haitian-American who moved back to Haiti after working at schools in New York City.
He oversees 11 teachers, a nurse, and a support staff. The school has worked with the community to address what have historically been barriers to Haitian education, such as inadequate funding, supply shortages and lack of qualified teachers.
Those attending the school will learn Haitian Creole, French, and English. The curriculum incorporates the latest technology, and has been designed to contribute to boosting Haiti’s competitiveness.
Students are provided with free, nutritious meals every day and are encouraged to develop their art skills. Moreover, S&H School’s impact on the community goes beyond the class day. It will serve the Caracol-EKAM area by acting as a community center, hosting social events such as English classes for the students' families.
“We know that it is important in a child’s development to engage both the mind and body,” said the S&H School principal.
“We are grateful to Artie Rabin, co-owner of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, for bringing basketball to Caracol with this brand new court at the school. He has a standing invitation to come play a game any time.”
A ground breaking for the school took place in October 2012 during a trade delegation visit led by President Bill Clinton.
Sae-A Trading announced its work on the school as a Clinton Global Initiative Commitment in 2013, which demonstrates the company’s devotion to good corporate citizenship.
Sae-A Trading established S&H Global and began manufacturing operations in 2012. As the anchor tenant at the Caracol Industrial Park, the plant is the largest employer, having created thousands of jobs at its multiple factories in operation.
The company also plans to create thousands of more jobs through its continued investment in the Caracol Industrial Park.
In Northern Haiti, where infrastructure is lacking and public transportation is limited, Sae-A Trading is bringing in 22 brand-new commuter buses in June this year in order to provide workers with a convenient, safe and reliable transportation option for commuting to and from work.
Sae-A will support a medical mission to Haiti this year, in collaboration with the College of Nursing at George Washington University from the United States and Pusan National University Hospital from Korea.
For more information on Sae-A Trading’s work and corporate social responsibility programs in Haiti, visit www.sae-a.com.