Cargill, together with China Children and Teenagers' Fund held a ceremony in Zhenhua Elementary school in Changping District, Beijing on September 2 for the closing ceremony of Cargill Cares Rural Education Program lasting for four year.  Chen Xiaoxia, Secretary-General of China Children and Teenagers' Fund, Robert Aspell, Cargill Greater China president, and representatives of Cargill volunteers has attended the closing ceremony.

    Cargill, together with China Children and Teenagers' Fund, is dedicated to the wellbeing of children in rural China, especially those in the least-developed areas.  It makes long-term endeavour to provide those children with better education environment and resources.  Hence, Cargill donated one million USD to China Children and Teenagers' Fund in 2008 to establish the "Cargill Cares Rural Education Program" By the end of June this year, the 4-year program is completed with rebuilding or renovating classroom buildings in 21 elementary schools, and establishing "Cargill Cares Library" in 20 elementary schools.   In details, Cargill invests 150,000 yuan on each "Cargill Cares Library" that is equipped with 12,500 books and such teaching facilities as book shelves, desks, chairs and projectors.  Cargill's total investment on the 4-year program amounts to 10 million yuan through China Children and Teenagers' Fund in past four years and benefits 50,000 children in poor area.

    Cargill volunteers also take active participation in various volunteer teaching projects. "Cargill is always a reliable partner, and we work together to promote education in rural China. Cargill volunteers show a long-term commitment to support community, as they have spent 108,000 hours on service in the past 8 years" says Chen Xiaoxia, Secretary-General in China Children and Teenagers' Fund.

    Robert Aspell, President of Cargill China, adds, "We spare no effort to promote children's education in rural China, and of course, our corporate social responsibilities are shown in everything everybody in Cargill does every day"

    "Cargill Cares Rural Education Program" shows how Cargill promotes children's education in rural China for years.  In the past 6 years, Cargill volunteers cooperated with many youth organizations to teach children in over 20 rural areas basic knowledge on international trade and economy.  In Nantong, Jiangsu Province, Cargill volunteers worked    with  "Right to Play" to organize physical education and game events for elementary school of migrant workers' children, training their social communication skills and EQ so that they can get involved in the local community.  In the earthquake-stricken area of Sichuan, Cargill volunteers provided psychological rehab service to the local pre-school children and elementary school students, helping them to get rid of the earthquake trauma.  In addition, Cargill staffs have been joining the Shanghai International Marathon every year since 2005, so as to raise fund for Chinese rural development and rural education. By the end of 2010, Cargill staffs have raised 16 million yuan by the marathon.

    From Songguan of Jilin Province in the north to Yangjiang of Guangdong Province in the south, from Nanchong of Sichuan Province in the west to Nantong of Jiangsu Province in the east, Cargill has been offering support to 128 rural elementary schools in China so far. In the future, Cargill will, as always, honour its long-term commitment of rural development and strive for the wellbeing of more rural children.  Cargill is awarded "China Children's Charity Award "in"China Children and Teenagers' Fund 30-Year Anniversary" for its outstanding performance in promoting rural children's education in China for years.