Making the world a better place for children

Through the social responsibility project Valmet supports three schools, Pha Khwang Wittaya, Thung Luang school and Mae Yao Wittaya school that host around 900 students altogether. 

The ceremony was held at Pha Khwang Wittaya school. The staff had decorated an area outside the library very nicely, and the guests were warmly welcomed by the school’s specialized teacher Mr. Suvit Chaiya and a group of students. 

The ceremony started with a Lahu tribe’s traditional dance by the students. The dance plays an important role for the Lahu people in all kinds of ceremonies. Today, it is also performed to welcome visitors in various festivities, and the moves symbolize affection, warmth and unity among people.

Vice Chairperson Ms. Prapai Kedsara from The Mirror Foundation expressed her gratitude for Valmet taking the initiative for improving the lives of the children at the rural villages. 

“We are only about 40 kms from the city center, but the quality of life for the children living here is totally different. There are still many children that lack the opportunity for education, clean drinking water and toilet facilities. Valmet’s support is very meaningful and improves the quality of life of the children significantly," Prapai Kedsara says. 

The ceremony will be long remembered by the participants. Here, standing behind the children from left to right: Daisy Yang, Senior Manager, Marketing & Communications, Asia Pacific, Valmet, Udom Thepwong, specialized teacher, Suvit Chaiya, specialized teacher,  Petri Paukkunen, Area President, Asia Pacific, Valmet, Wuthichai Chongcharoenrungrot, Director, Legal, Asia Pacific, Valmet, Prapai Kedsara, Vice Chairperson, The Mirror Foundation, and Naparat Phutanavarat, Manager, Brand & Marketing, Asia Pacific and Marketing & Communications, SEA region, Valmet.

Promoting equal opportunities for wellbeing 

With Valmet’s donation, Pha Khwang Wittaya school received both new and renovated toilets, water purification systems and a renovated library, Thung Luang school a new toilet and a shower room and new water purification systems, and Mae Yao Wittaya school new water purification systems. The three schools host around 900 students, many of them also accommodated at the schools during the week due to long distances. 

The renovated library offers space and inspiration to reading and learning.

“It is absolutely great to see the excellent results of the work done at the schools – and the obvious impact it has on the children’s wellbeing and possibility to education. It is important for us as a company and as individuals to be part of such initiatives. I believe we have been able to make the world at least a bit better place to live,” Valmet's Area President Petri Paukkunen says. 

New water purifiers provide clean and safe drinking water thus improve the hygiene level at schools.

“I’m very grateful for this first local social responsibility project in Thailand – a massive thanks for my employer, Valmet, for the donation, and for the Valmeteers for voting to make this happen. I’m sure we will all cherish this project and our visit many times, and remembering the smiling faces of the children will definitely lead us to do something similar in the future too,” Naparat Phutanavarat, Manager, Brand & Marketing, Asia Pacific and Marketing & Communications, SEA regions, says.