Manila, 16 June 2020 – The Covid-19 quarantine regulations and social distancing has put a lot of pressure and stress on numerous child-caring organizations about the food and basic supplies they require to operate. Amidst this pandemic, the Grundfos Foundation responded to the needs of eight SOS Children’s Villages around the Philippines by donating food, cleaning supplies, and personal protective equipment that will last these orphaned children and childcare frontline workers for a month.
SOS Children’s Villages is home to 957 children and 145 childcare frontline workers, who are located across Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila; Calbayog City, Samar; Cebu City, Cebu; Davao City, Davao del Sur; Lipa City, Batangas; Tacloban City, Leyte; Zarraga, Iloilo and Mariveles, Bataan.
Commenting on the grant, Kim Nøhr Skibsted, Executive Director, Grundfos Foundation, said “The Covid-19 pandemic is taking a toll on the most vulnerable communities. With our grant, we hope to ease the pressure that SOS Children’s Villages are facing and support the children and childcare workers for at least a month. The Foundation will be working closely with the Grundfos Philippines team and SOS Children’s Villages to distribute these supplies in a timely manner.”
Jonathan Breton, General Manager of Grundfos Philippines along with a few employees and representatives from the respective SOS Children’s Village were involved in the distribution of these provisions and equipment, all while ensuring social distancing guidelines. Commenting on the visit to the SOS Children’s Village in Manila, Jonathan Breton said, “It is a proud moment for us at Grundfos Philippines, knowing that our Foundation cares about the welfare of our local communities. It is also heartening, to see that our support will help the more than a thousand children and their caretakers through these tough times.”
“Because of the Covid-19 lockdown, we have been struggling to get food and supplies for our children and childcare staff. This donation from Grundfos Foundation is a welcome relief from the shortages we are experiencing and will help us adjust to the new normal,” says, Ma. Angeles Guanzon-Lapeña, President, SOS Children’s Villages.
The Grundfos Foundation is also funding various initiatives across the world to fight the spread of Covid-19 and help local communities on the ground during this pandemic.
About the Grundfos Foundation
The Grundfos Foundation (Poul Due Jensen Foundation) is a Danish commercial foundation. Grundfos’ founder, Poul Due Jensen, created the Foundation on 19 May 1975. The main purpose of the Foundation is to ensure and support healthy economic growth and development of the Grundfos Group, but the Foundation also supports philanthropic activities within three main areas: safe Water for the world’s poorest, technical and scientific research, and labor market Inclusion. Within Water, the Foundation keeps a reserve at hand for urgent disaster response. To learn more, visit pdjf.dk/en
About Grundfos Pumps (Grundfos Philippines)
In 1987 Grundfos started to introduce solutions to sourcing groundwater and water distribution in the Philippines through an exclusive distributor in Manila. The high demand prompted Grundfos Singapore to open a representative office in the country. As operations grew stronger, Grundfos Philippines was established in 2004, eventually becoming a Grundfos sales company – a global entity under Grundfos Holdings in Denmark. The company has a strong presence across the Philippines, with offices, representatives, as well as dealers and distributors in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
About SOS Children’s Villages
SOS Children’s Villages is a private, non-political, non-denominational organization that provides Family-like Care to children who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care. Since 1967, it has provided a loving home to thousands of children and prevent family breakdown and child abandonment in communities. After 53 years, there are now 8 villages spread across the country that are home to almost 1,000 children and young adults; and are assisting over 1,600 families through its Family Strengthening program. To let your kindness reach them, you may donate through their website at sosphilippines.org/donation or contact them at (02) 8373-8767.
For further details, please contact:
Anne Bisgaard Christensen
Communications Specialist, Grundfos Foundation
abchristensen@grundfos.com
Mahathi Parashuram
Regional Head – Public Affairs – Communications & Engagement, Grundfos Asia Pacific Region mahathi@grundfos.com
On behalf of Grundfos:
Sheila Rada
VP, Dominguez Marketing Communications, Inc.
sheila.rada@dominguez.ph