Sharing the care

Students and teachers from Sichuan Technology and Business College celebrated their first after-quake semester on September 1 in their 20 new environmentally friendly classrooms, 50 dormitories and one clinic financed by the Bayer Cares Foundation.

"The new school buildings are very beautiful and pleasing. We like them very much," says a student attending the opening ceremony. "We suspended classes for three months and the waiting time was really long."

Established by Germany-based pharmaceutical and chemicals group Bayer AG, the Bayer Cares Foundation provides help to people stricken by natural disasters.

"The people of Sichuan have touched the world with their bravery, strength and optimism in the quake-relief campaign. We are very grateful that the college gave us this opportunity to contribute our expertise, not only from Bayer China, but from our group worldwide," Michael Koenig, president of Bayer Greater China Group, says.

Bayer applies environmental concepts to its relief site building construction. In the 2,000 sq m area, every unit is equipped with polyurethane panels, an energy saving material which can enhance protection against wind and noise while ensuring a healthy circulation of air.

The polyurethane units are designed not to require foundations, which ensure the installation site doesn't need to be excuvated, and can be transported elsewhere.

"The quality of the polyurethane constructions is excellent. We plan to use them in later building constructions," Wang Kaihuai, administration director of the college, says. "Bayer also provided us with all the study supplies, including desks, chairs and blackboards."

"Bayer Cares has been launched in the hope that Bayer can help beyond making mere donations," says Koenig.

"We are really touched by the help from Bayer and the society. We appreciate it so much. I hope to work with Bayer after graduation," a student says.

The construction donation is valued at 825,000 euros, bringing Bayer's total donations to earthquake relief, including medical supplies, cash donations, and vector control, to 2.2 million euros.

In addition to the construction donations, Bayer will launch a quake-related volunteer program as the next phase of the Cares Project.

(China Daily 09/15/2008 page8)