Envoy at Work: Canadian Ambassador David Hartman painting chairs with TELUS volunteers (Contributed Photo)
On a sunny Saturday morning, over a thousand employees of TELUS International Philippines (TIP) came together to lend a helping hand. Dressed in jeans and purple-colored shirts, armed with hammers and paint rollers, they transformed Lakan Dula High School in Tondo, Manila. This initiative is part of TIP’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program called TELUS Days of Giving, which encourages team members to engage in volunteer work.
For nine years now, TIP has been participating in Brigada Eskwela, an annual program by the Department of Education that brings private and public organizations together to improve school environments. Lakan Dula High School is the ninth school that TIP has chosen to transform under its TELUS Days of Giving program. Built in 1962, the campus consists of seven buildings with 60 classrooms, catering to 5,000 students. The school currently employs 200 teachers.
On August 12, TELUS volunteers repainted 15 hallways, all the classrooms, 23 staircases, and refurbished 368 chairs. The volunteers, predominantly in their 20s and 30s, were joined by TIP’s top-ranking officials, who also rolled up their sleeves to contribute. Before the volunteers arrived, TIP took care of repairs, installing new flooring and funding window and ceiling repairs for severely damaged classrooms. The company also donated 200 additional chairs and 120 electric fans.
Phoebe Carrera, Senior Manager for Corporate Social Responsibility at TELUS International, emphasizes the importance of education in their CSR efforts. In addition to giving back to the community, supporting education helps prepare potential future TELUS International team members. Carrera explains that they visited multiple schools before selecting Lakan Dula High School. The school’s needs aligned with the capabilities of TIP’s large volunteer force, allowing them to make the most significant impact possible.
TELUS International President and CEO Jeff Puritt, highlighting the company’s commitment to meaningful work, acknowledges the volunteer efforts of their team members as a cornerstone of their company culture. He stresses the value of creating a strong academic foundation for students, which benefits them, their families, and the entire community.
Brigada Eskwela is a highly anticipated CSR event for TIP employees, with all 1,000 volunteer slots filled within a couple of days. It allows team members to reminisce about their own school experiences and feel energized to improve the learning environment for current students.
TIP firmly believes in the transformative power of education and considers it a crucial tool for breaking down barriers and unlocking potential. In addition to participating in Brigada Eskwela, TIP has several other education-related CSR programs, including virtual tutorials, book translation efforts, and fundraising drives for distance learning modules. They also offer volunteer programs that provide students and youth with financial acumen training, sportsmanship, and values formation.
The TELUS International Philippines Community Board, a fund-granting foundation, supports local grassroots organizations. Over the last 11 years, they have contributed over P50 million to 133 projects and charities throughout the Philippines. Non-profit and charitable organizations can apply for grants until September 15.
TIP encourages these organizations to continue making a positive impact by applying for project funding and attending grant writing workshops to enhance their proposals.
By continuously giving back, TIP empowers its team members to engage in meaningful work, both inside and outside the workplace. Together, they demonstrate the spirit of unity and cooperation, making public schools places where all students can acquire knowledge and values, contributing to the nation-building process.
(Source: Inquirer.net)
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