Love makes the world go around, and POSCO knows that very well. As you know, there are various ways to share such love with others. Here’s our story.
Are new born infants vulnerable to hypothermia? Yes.
But out of all places on Earth, in blistering heat of the African continent? Yes.
“I remember knitting my first cap using bamboo needles. The experience struck me as an unimaginable reality that a simple cap I’ve knitted can save lives“ says Miss Lee Soo Jeong, who is the president of Supporters Association for Children Abroad and works at the Global Corporate Ethics Group, as she reminisces of her first experience of knitting the caps.
Yes, a knitted cap which is only the size of a woman’s palms can save an infant’s life in Africa.
Nearly 4 million babies die each year in their first month of life—half within their first 24 hours—mostly from preventable or treatable causes. Baby caps are a simple and effective tool that can keep babies warm and ultimately contribute to reducing newborn deaths in the developing world.
“I’ve noticed that there were some employees who were also sponsoring children abroad like myself, which motivated me to make a collaborating effect of this mass participation.“ Miss Jang Yoo-Ja [Administration Supporting Group], the founder of Supporters Association for Children Abroad. It was from this single thought, on which the Supporters Association for Children Abroad came into being.
Supporters Association for Children Abroad was established in 2009 by POSCO employees who each have one or more sponsoring children abroad. The purpose of the group was to share information on sponsoring for the children abroad and to support each other on achieving a common purpose of sharing more love. Supporters Association for Children Abroad tries to provide hopes for parts of the world that have long been neglected.
Supporters Association for Children Abroad have participated in “Caps for Good -Campaign” launched by the “Save the Children” organization for more 4 years. They admitted that the idea of knitting caps to save infants in Africa struck them rather odd at first. However, they soon learned that the African weather fluctuates from hot temperature during the day to temperature dropping significantly by the night. Therefore, these knitted caps made of wools help protect newborns from hypothermia and death. After being informed of these facts, the more employees were eager to participate in the event immediately.
After countless attempts of undoing and re-knitting, the group finally managed to send about a thousand hats to Africa over four years period. In 2010, they were also able to send sanitary products made by the same bamboo needles to teenagers who were in need.
Today, there are increasing number of POSCO employees who are taking active roles in knitting caps and sending them abroad to children in need, in midst of their busy work schedules. It is a time to appreciate their deep concerns and love for the sponsored children, at all different parts of the world.
Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need around the world. The organization also works with other organizations, governments, non-profits and a variety of local partners at the heart of communities, where it helps children and families help themselves. Save the Children therefore, provide package of simple tools to mothers and caregivers, which include guidance on healthy newborn care practices and items crucial to saving more babies’ lives, such as caps. Including projects like “Caps for Good,” Save the Children continues its mission of inspiring breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieving immediate and lasting change in their lives.[/box]