POSCO 1% Foundation has worked since 2015 to improve infrastructure for vulnerable communities in countries that serve as strategic business hubs.
Through construction volunteering, the foundation has supported 49 homes for vulnerable households and is continuing its efforts this year by renovating school facilities.
The Cilegon Korean Language School has produced 82 graduates, and the foundation plans to support Korean language education for 200 students this year.
POSCO 1% Foundation, funded by donations equivalent to 1% of the salaries of POSCO group employees, carried out a social contribution activity in Cilegon, Indonesia.
From August 2 to 8, the foundation conducted a global volunteer program with the participation of 50 POSCO group employees.
Cilegon is a strategic business hub for POSCO group and home to Krakatau POSCO, POSCO group’s first overseas integrated steelworks.
The volunteers helped improve the educational environment at Belumbang Elementary School, which has inadequate educational facilities. They renovated the walls of aging classrooms, repaired restrooms and built new classrooms, helping create a safe and comfortable learning environment.
The 50 volunteers were employees from POSCO group affiliates who volunteered to take part in the program. At the site, they saw firsthand how the “1% Sharing Fund,” to which they had contributed every month, was being used in the local community.
The program also included educational activities. Employees introduced Korean culture and interacted with local students through activities such as making Hangul name tags and traditional Korean masks.
“I felt a great sense of fulfillment seeing the 1% of my salary that I had contributed each month come back as smiles from the children,” said NO Se Rae, Junior Technical Manager in the Gwangyang Production Technology Department. “In addition to donating, this experience allowed me to experience the value of sharing firsthand by working alongside others at the site.”
“We are grateful for the sincere efforts of POSCO group employees,” said a teacher at Belumbang Elementary School. “The children will be able to envision a better future at their newly renovated school.”
Since 2015, POSCO 1% Foundation has carried out construction volunteering for vulnerable households in strategic business hubs, including Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. To date, it has supported 49 homes. Last year, the foundation opened a Korean language school in Cilegon, where 82 students completed the program. This year, it plans to support Korean language education for 200 students.
“Funded by employee donations, this volunteer program reflects our commitment to growing together with the Indonesian community,” said a POSCO 1% Foundation official. “It is also meaningful because it helps the next generation in Cilegon pursue their dreams in a better environment.”
Since its establishment in 2013, POSCO 1% Foundation has helped promote a culture of employee-participatory giving and continued various social contribution activities, including support for underserved communities in Korea and abroad and programs that help future generations achieve self-reliance.
▲ The 1% Global Volunteer Group, comprising 50 POSCO group employees, takes a commemorative photo with students after completing construction volunteering at Belumbang Elementary School in Cilegon, Indonesia.
▲ Members of the POSCO group 1% Global Volunteer Group lay bricks to build new classrooms at Belumbang Elementary School in Indonesia.