As part of program to build libraries nationwide, a new library was established by PepsiCo on Sept 6 in the No 6 Primary School of Wulanhua town in Siziwang Banner, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

The project was initiated by the PepsiCo Library program of PepsiCo China, which built a library with learning facilities such as computers, bookshelves, cabinets, desks and chairs as well as more than 4,000 new books.

Since its launch in 2007, the program has been committed to building libraries for schools in the countryside around PepsiCo farms. The company funds the construction of library facilities and offers scholarships for students.

It is part of PepsiCo's Performance with Purpose strategy, which is aimed at generating healthy financial returns while giving back to communities it serves.

To date, nearly 1.9 million yuan ($299,440) has been invested by PepsiCo and its associates in China to build a total of 10 libraries in the Inner Mongolia and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous regions as well as Hebei, Shandong, Guangdong, Hubei and Gansu provinces. More than 4,500 local students have benefited from it so far.

The No 6 Primary School of Wulanhua town is the 10th school sponsored by the program.

"Siziwang Banner is a shining pearl on the Inner Mongolia prairie with a time-honored history. I feel deeply honored to witness the small contribution PepsiCo has made to educational development on this grand prairie," said Katty Lam, president of PepsiCo Greater China Region Foods OpCo, at the opening ceremony.

With the arrival of a new semester, PepsiCo China has also organized a volunteer campaign for its associates to get personally involved in this public welfare program.

During the campaign, volunteers from across the country gathered in the primary school to help set up the library and participate in school activities, such as reading games and a so-called mini Olympics. These events have broadened the teaching curriculum and injected new vitality into extracurricular activities.

"PepsiCo is one of the most successful consumer goods companies in the world, and it is known and liked by millions of Chinese consumers. I am confident that, with the motivation of PepsiCo, our students will make more dedicated efforts and study even harder for the prosperity of their homeland," said Wu Ying, headmaster of the school.

In addition, PepsiCo China has also sponsored another education support program for children of migrant workers - PepsiCo Better Tomorrow.

Since 2008, PepsiCo has improved the educational environment for children of migrant workers by offering scholarships, building libraries, and providing sports equipment and other material support to their schools.

As of the end of 2011, PepsiCo had provided funding for 16 schools in 15 Chinese cities, such as Beijing, Jinan and Chongqing, benefiting 16,200 students in total, including 3,500 PepsiCo Love Scholarship beneficiaries.

By the start of 2012, more than 4 million yuan had been invested in these two programs, covering 26 schools for children of migrant workers and rural schools in China, with benefits shared by more than 20,000 primary and middle school students.

PepsiCo will also donate 200,000 yuan to some outstanding students and teachers in Beijing Qingyundian township today in Beijing, to help improve the educational environment and boost the education development of the local community.

To date, the total public welfare donations made by PepsiCo Foundation, PepsiCo China and PepsiCo associates in China have exceeded 75 million yuan.

zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/07/2012 page16)