Helwan Cement sponsors the marathon event "Yes to Sport, No to tobacco consumption"
Cairo, 5 March 2008. As part of the Company’s engagement in development, Helwan Cement Company, a subsidiary of Suez Cement Company, joined with the Cairo Governorate and the Municipality of 15 May to launch their second marathon titled “Yes to sport, No to tobacco consumption”.
The marathon will take place on the 6th of March, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 15 May district.
In the presence of the Governor of Cairo, H.E. Abdel Azim Mussa Wazir, and the Managing Director of Suez Cement group, Mr. Roberto Callieri, more than 2,000 people from Helwan area together with a delegation of Suez Cement’s employees and their children will run together to sensitize the local community of Helwan to the negative effects of tobacco consumption and show their commitment to curb smoking prevalence especially among children and adolescents.
As a result, this health awareness-raising event aims to encourage young people to resist smoking and get involved in sports activities. Getting kids involved in sports not only boosts their level of physical activity and self-esteem, it also lessens the likelihood that they will use tobacco.
“Convincing kids to say “NO” to tobacco and “YES” to sports and physical activity is a significant public health challenge. As socially responsible Company, Suez Cement group is proud to sponsor this event and intends to continue to support such initiatives. Moreover, in cooperation with the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, we have launched several awareness-raising campaigns on social issues affecting young people. Young people are our future and we should enable them to make sounds and well informed choices” stated Roberto Callieri, Managing Director of Suez Cement group.
As a matter of fact, this marathon event is one of a range of awareness-raising activities on social issues promoted by Suez Cement group in cooperation with different partners: local institutions, NGOs, UN agencies, schools and youth centers.
Helwan Cement Company and Tourah Portland Cement Company have partnered with the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood for the implementation of the development project “For the Smile of our Children” providing with an annual contribution of L.E. 4.000.000. The main goal of the project is to improve the quality of life of the children and their families living in Kafr El Elw and al Maasara areas by providing access to quality basic infrastructure and services, especially in the field of education. Thus, on March 12th 2008 the Company will inaugurate Kafr El Elw Cement School, one of the schools that have been completely revamped by Helwan Cement in the framework of the development project implemented in partnership with the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood and the Cairo Governorate.
Similarly, Suez Cement group has launched in cooperation with the International Labor Organization and the Ministry of Manpower and Migration a multimedia awareness-raising campaign on safety and health at work “Salamtak Bel Donia” which promotes a safety culture in the cement industry by raising awareness about the importance of safety and accident prevention principles and methods.