This transformative partnership with Akwaaba Volunteers aims to empower underprivileged children through quality education and improved learning conditions.
FLS, a non-governmental organization dedicated to providing education to less privileged children in the area, will be the primary beneficiary of ZEN Petroleum’s generous investment. The funds will be channeled into several impactful initiatives, including a school bus donation, teacher salary subsidies, and a breakfast programme for over 300 pupils.
Commenting on the project, William Tewiah, Chief Executive Officer of ZEN Petroleum said, “Education is the cornerstone of a society’s progress, and at ZEN Petroleum, we firmly believe in empowering communities through quality education. Our partnership with FutureLeaders School and Akwaaba Volunteers is a testament to our commitment to creating a brighter future for the next generation.”
The donation of a 24-seater Mercedes-Benz school bus, scheduled for Thursday, April 25, 2024, will revolutionise the daily commute for FLS students. “One of the challenges we were facing was transportation to get the kids to school in the morning,” Mr. Tewiah explained. “Sometimes, the children had to wake up at 4 AM just to make it to class on time because they didn’t have their own transport.”
In addition to the bus donation, a portion of the funds will subsidise teacher salaries, ensuring that talented educators are recognised and retained at FLS. “The volunteers here are doing a wonderful job, working on very low salaries in a challenging environment,” Mr. Tewiah acknowledged. “We felt compelled to support them.”
Furthermore, ZEN Petroleum’s investment has enabled the implementation of a breakfast programme, providing a nutritious start to the day for over 300 pupils. “A couple of months ago, we learned about Future Leaders School and the challenges the kids faced, particularly not having anything to eat before coming to school,” Mr. Tewiah shared. “It touched us deeply, and we knew we had to do something to support them.”
The company’s commitment extends beyond financial assistance
ZEN Petroleum’s staff members will engage with FLS students through a coaching and mentoring programme, fostering personal growth and inspiration.
“Deciding which CSR project to support is always very difficult because the poverty gap in our country is quite wide,” the CEO reflected. “There’s a large percentage of people surviving on very little. However, this is our small way of showing that as a company, we take our social responsibilities seriously and strive to make a difference.”
ZEN Petroleum’s initiative aligns with its ZEN to Community (Z2C) programme, which focuses on education, health, safety, environment, and community engagement. As a market leader in theGhanaian oil and gas industry, with a retail network of 50 active service stations and a workforce of 1,200 employees, the company recognises its influential role in driving positive change.
“In the future, we would like to think that in our small way, we can continue to contribute to the welfare of children and education,” Mr. Tewiah affirmed. “As the company grows, we will be able to do even more. Our hope is that by investing in the education of these young minds, we are fostering a brighter future for generations to come.”
