Footwear for the children of Gendiracherry School, Chennai

On 22 July'08, 95 children of the Gendiracherry Primary School in Chennai, received a brand new pair of shoes - thanks to the efforts of the Chennai CSR team. This school is located in interior Tamilnadu, almost two hours drive from Chennai. The children studying in this school come from extremely impoverished backgrounds and walk barefoot in the hot sun to school. The new pair of shoes provided to them by Steria, would indeed be a welcome relief and would provide a bit of comfort to them. This is a Steria supported school and this shoes initiative follows the earlier one, when a small computer center was set up in the school with two new computers and a collection of educational CDs. More than the new shoes which they were to receive, the children were eager to display their newly acquired computer skills to the visitors.

Being a small village, this was a major event for the village folk of Gendiracherry, and apart from the school officials, some of the parents were also a part of the shoes distribution function. The children were also treated to flavoured milk which the CSR team had thoughtfully carried with them

First time in many years.... Rajender Ashram, Delhi 

The results of this year's CBSE Matriculation Exams, brought a lot of cheer to the residents of Rajender Ashram, Delhi, an orphanage for boys, supported by Steria. All the seven boys from this orphanage who had appeared for the exams passed out successfully. This was the first time that Rajender Ashram recorded a 100% performance. This creditable performance by the kids was mainly on account of the hard work and dedication of the Noida CSR team along with staff volunteers who spent endless hours coaching and preparing the children for the exams. Infact, what is even more important is the role played by the teachers appointed by Steria to take lessons for these children and instill in them the required interest and enthusiasm to pursue their studies seriously. Now, three of these boys have been provided shelter at the Arya Bal Girah -another orphanage for bigger children - so that they can pursue their higher studies. Steria will be closely watching their academic performance, and give the necessary encouragement so that they grow up to be useful contributing members of society.

Steria Academy Participants at Mambakkam Schools in Chennai

On 18 June 2008, a unique institution was born in Chennai - The Steria Academy. This would be an important tool of learning for managers across Steria globally. The first learning program was launched for 60 Steria managers across nine different countries on this day. The course is in association with the U2I University of Singapore. The afternoon of the 18 June was kept aside for CSR. This included a presentation by Solfrid Skilbrigt on Steria global CSR perspective followed by the India CSR story by Gayathri Mohan. Later all the participants made a field study visit to a CSR project of Steria India - the two Mambakkam Schools.

At Mambakkam Primary, the visitors were welcomed with the traditional tilak, and rose water. The children performed a couple of dances in which some of the eager visitors also decided to join in and keep company with the children. The visitors went around the school, distributed lapdesks to the children as well as milk packs. The highlight of the visit was a small function where, Francois and Mukesh handed over the keys of a brand new modified scooter to Elsa Ranson, computer teacher at the Sholinganllur Primary School. Elsa's scooter is a personal gift from Jenene Martin, Steria UK. Also Elsa's position in the school as teacher is sponsored by James Milner, Head of Operations TVL, BBC.

The visitors then walked across to the Mambakkam Senior School where they were received by the principal. Here they had an opportunity to witness a south Indian classical dance performance put up by some of the students. Some of the visitors went around to visit the computer centre as well as the Rural Knowledge Centre which was set up by Steria as part of the tsunami rehabilitation program. After that the group moved on to the football field where a football competition was held between a Steria Chennai XI and two of the Steria supported schools. The final match between the Steria XI and the Mambakkam School was the highlight of the evening. It was a tough match and the Mambakkam School kids put on a terrific show to emerge the winners. The winner's trophy and other prizes were distributed by Mukesh and Francois to the well deserved participants.

The visiting Steria mangers from across the globe were treated to a first hand experience of the kind of community work that is happening in India, the terrific impact it makes on the community, the local Steria staff, the participation from Steria clients and the positive effect on the brand Steria acknowledged as a company with a heart.

Summer Camp Noida 2008……Concluding session

In keeping with tradition the Annual Summer Camp for the children of Steria supported schools were held from 6 June to 14 June. The venue of the camp was Modern School, Sector 11, Noida. More than 100 children from various Steria schools were chosen to be participants of this camp. With the summer vacation on for Delhi schools this was Steria CSR team's attempt to bring in some fun and entertainment into the vacation for these kids along with serious learning and development of special skills.

This year's camp focused on 'English language skills and global warming'- and the children practiced essay writing, drawing, painting, elocution mainly around this theme. However, the fun element also was very much part of the camp in the form of songs and dances as well a small skits and one act plays.

The highlight of this year's camp was the participation of a well known theatre group called 'pandies', who had deputed two of their artists to conduct theatre workshops for the kids. Also, the Delhi Karate Association was kind enough to lend the services of one of their karate experts and a national level sportsman to conduct karate and self defense classes for the kids. The girls found this exercise especially useful.

There were also lessons in Art & Craft, Drawing and music - all conducted by our own Steria staff volunteers, without whose enthusiasm and participation the summer camp would not have been such a resounding success. There were quiz, elocution and drawing competitions every day and small little giveaways were distributed as prizes for the kids. Snacks and cold drinks were also provided.

The concluding session was held on 14 June, when a number of programs were conducted, giving the kids a chance to showcase all that they had learnt during the camp. Parents of many of the children were also in attendance on the final day.