Chevron not only provides reliable energy supplies and quality products and services for the Thai people, but also supports a wide variety of community programs.
Education is the cornerstone of Chevron's community activities in Thailand. We have an enduring relationship with the Phra Dabos Foundation, a royal initiative by Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The foundation provides occupational studies, meals and housing to underprivileged students who cannot afford higher education. In 2006, Chevron contributed approximately $1.2 million to the foundation for scholarships covering a six-year period.
In 2007, Chevron gave $600,000 to the Distance Learning Foundation and launched a campaign to raise funds from the general public to support the foundation. The campaign raised $1.2 million. These contributions can help pay for improved satellite communications that will help improve the education of Thai children in more than 700 schools.
In 2008, we started a Chevron Human Energy School Network program. The effort is based on a successful waste management project first implemented in 2004 in Songkhla Province, where we have facilities. This program aims to promote environmental awareness among the students, the teachers and the communities. We hope to expand the program from the original 12 schools to 84 schools across the country by 2011.
Chevron Thailand is collaborating with Petroleum Authority of Thailand Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) and Chulalongkorn University to establish a new international master's program in petroleum geosciences that is expected to attract students from across Asia. We and our partners are committed to providing $10 million in funding during the first five academic years. This support will fund specialist lecturers from international universities, scholarships and research cooperation. Graduates of this program will help fulfill the demand for qualified petroleum geoscientists in the country as well as the region. The first academic semester will start in 2009.
We support science, math and marine ecology camps organized every year through Chulalongkorn and Walailak universities. Our funding also provides Exemplary Youth scholarships to needy students who are average performers, but demonstrate outstanding behavior at school and in the community. Other community programs include support for Thai National Children's Day and regional conferences on petroleum-industry safety, health and environmental issues.
Soon after the massive tsunami struck the southern coast of Thailand in 2004, we dispatched a special task force to determine what Chevron could do. While offering immediate financial support, we also participated in programs that benefited the community for the long term.
Through the Tsunami Aftermath Project, Chevron identified two schools that needed help. We funded the construction of assembly halls for the Baan Pak Weep and Baan Bang Nieng schools, both of which are in Khao Lak area, Phang-Nga Province.
Besides being used for student assemblies, these halls are used for community gatherings and can serve as temporary emergency shelters during disasters. The halls were completed a little more than a year after the tsunami in cooperation with the Raks Thai Foundation.
In 2008, Chevron built a new road for Baan Pak Weep School. The Caltex Ruam Jai Road eases travel during the wet season. And in hot weather, students, teachers and parents benefit from less dust now that the road is paved. Chevron provided more than $33,000 for construction of the road. We also donated funds for other improvements, including new restrooms for the students.
Our employees share Chevron's commitment to be responsible citizens wherever we work.
In 2008, our employees volunteered for activities in about 10 different provinces. Most of these provinces are in or near our operation areas. As a result, thousands of students, in nearly 20 schools, have better learning conditions, and some have better equipment.
Cambodia
In Cambodia, Chevron has made contributions to several organizations to improve the quality of life of underprivileged adults and children.
For example, Chevron Overseas Petroleum (Cambodia) Limited has worked with partners on a TB/HIV Prevention program. The program creates and prints informational booklets on the prevention and treatment of TB and HIV and distributes them in Phnom Penh and Sihanouk Ville. The program includes training on how to use the booklet. Our support also will allow our local partners to put monitoring, evaluation and reporting programs in place and to reach out and extend the program to more at-risk people.
Updated: March 2009