DHL helps to improve dining experience for Hanbury Home kids

COME MID-AUGUST, the 79 wards at the Salvation Army Hanbury Home for Children in Kendal, Manchester, should be dining in comfort, upon completion of expansion works on the institution's dining room and kitchen being undertaken by DHL Express Jamaica.

Work on the facility got under way last Saturday, following a groundbreaking ceremony and the presentation of funds by officials from DHL Express, who provided just over J$460,000 of the J$500,000 required for the project.

Administrator at the Salvation Army Hanbury Home for Children, Major Alisthene Simeon, expressed gratitude to DHL Express for its continued support of the children, through their various outreach programmes at the facility.

Major Simeon said while there are many needs at the facility, the challenges faced with accommodating the children for dining was a difficult one, given the space constraints, but pointed out that the expansion of the space will now seat them comfortably during meal times.

Known for service

Divisional commander for the Salvation Army Eastern Jamaica Division, Stanley Griffin, noted that the Salvation Army is known throughout the world for its service to humanity and its holistic approach to ministry, but said the survival of the organisation over the years is as a result of support from partners such as DHL.

Peter Bunting, member of parliament for Central Manchester in which the facility is located, also heaped praises on DHL for its corporate social responsibility, noting that it goes beyond just the signing of cheques, as they have witnessed where the entire DHL team would travel to whatever projects they are undertaking and put in meaningful sweat equity.

Bunting also acknowledged the tremendous work being done by the Salvation Army at Hanbury Home for Children, and pointed out that the expansion of the kitchen and dining area will contribute significantly to the comfort, convenience and hygiene of the children.

District manager for DHL Express South Caribbean, Patrick Frith, said DHL globally is very passionate about social responsibility. "We operate in 220 countries around the world and it is our responsibility to give back to those communities in which we operate, and we do that through our 'Living Responsibility' programme made up of three pillars - Go Green (environment), Go Teach (education), Go Help (community assistance)."

DHL has been providing assistance to Hanbury Home for Children since 2006, as part of its outreach programme.