Funday on Steria Chennai campus - More than 250 children in Steria

On 4 July’09, more than 250 students of Primary School Mambakkam, a Steria supported school were treated to their annual funday on Steria Chennai campus. This is an annual fixture on the Chennai CSR calendar for all Steria supported primary schools. From as early as 9.30 am children started arriving in buses specially arranged with help from Diamond Engineering, to ferry them from school to our office. The teachers of the school were also keen participants of the funday. All the kids were received at the office with a welcome drink and a packet of popcorn. This set the mood and was quickly followed by dances, music, singing and a variety of party games all planned, organized and executed by Steria Chennai staff volunteers. The children were enthralled with the tricks on display by a performing magician.

The Steria staff volunteers too had the time of their lives, joining in the fun and revelry with their own versions of popular dance numbers. They were obviously inspired by the energy and talent of the little ones. The hungry kids were then treated to a delicious lunch specially organized for them from our inhouse caterer topped of with their favorite ice cream.

It was soon time for the fun and games to end, for the children to once again board their buses and go home. They were a reluctant lot indeed though were happy to receive, each, a pencil box with some folders which the staff volunteers had thoughtfully organized for them. The teachers were also given small gifts as a token of gratitude for taking their time off and accompanying the children.

Thanks to Malathi, Adlin and all the volunteers for making this fun day a truly memorable day for the children.

Blood Donation Camp - 140 units collected

On 3 July’09, a blood donation camp was organized by Chennai CSR team in the Chennai Steria campus. The camp was conducted in partnership with Jeevan Blood Bank. There was a very enthusiastic response to the appeal for donating blood from Chennai Steria staff, and it was not a surprise that by the end of the day 140 units of blood was collected by the organizers. All the employees were also given a quick medical checkup before the doctors collected blood.

Johan Vermeule’s visit to Chennai Padma Adarsh

On 1 July’09, Johan Vermeule, HR Director Steria worldwide, visited Chennai, during the course of his visit to India. He was accompanied by Shantanu Banerjee, India Head HR. During his visit to Chennai, Johan expressed a keen desire to visit one of the Steria India CSR projects in Chennai. Accordingly Johan along with Shantanu visited the Padma Adarsh High School, orphanage and old-age home.

At the school Johan saw for himself the computer centre set up as part of the BT-Steria community partnership. He spent time with the children, distributed milk packets to the residents of the old age home and also visited the vocational training centre which is situated within the school campus.

Johan was extremely happy to meet and play with the children of the orphanage and went back with fond memories of the children. He also donated funds which would be used for gifts for the children during the fun day scheduled for August.