A damaged trade school in Haiti will receive a heavy donation after it was left in shambles following a massive earthquake in 2010.
Atlas Tube a division of JMC Steel Group, has donated 16 tonnes of steel hollow structural sections to École Lakay, located in the town of Le Soleil, just outside of Port au Prince.
The company’s president hopes the donation will give the earthquake-stricken country a chance for its students to receive an education that could potentially help in the rebuilding process.
Mr David Seeger president of JMC Steel Group said that “Donating steel to help rebuild École Lakay. is not only critical to the future students of Haiti, but to the future of their construction industry.”
He said that “Ensuring the ongoing education of Haiti’s skilled youth in construction trades will allow these graduates to help rebuild their country and help ensure that the future of the trades and construction industry is bright.”
The Harrow, Ontario based company will send square tubes and round tubes that will be used to reconstruct the school’s columns.
The rebuilding project, in which the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction is also involved, will result in 16 classrooms, workshops, washrooms, storage areas, covered walkways and a shaded outdoor area.
CISC national marketing manager, Mr Tareq Ali said that the initiative is all about giving back. He said that “This is a part of our commitment to our corporate and social responsibility. We are directly contributing to training workers that will help rebuild a country.”
According to Mr Ali, steel was the material of choice due to its seismic-resistant properties which can help prevent extensive damage in the event of a future earthquake.
The joint effort will send a total 70 tonnes of structural steel worth over USD 500,000, by boat, to Haiti.
