INCO 2003 Social Responsiblity Report GLOSSARYREPORT INDEXCONTACT & COMMENTSINCO.COM
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Community Development PRINTABLE VERSION
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Our Communities: A Tradition of Support

When PT Inco established a small exploration camp near the village of Sorowako in the province of South Sulawesi over three decades ago, jobs for the 950 residents were scarce and living standards were low. Times have changed – for the better. Today, Sorowako is a thriving community of 11,000 that boasts facilities including a hospital, airport, several schools and scores of local businesses.

PT Inco has played a significant role in that evolution. As well, our company has traditionally provided support to communities in Central and South-East Sulawesi where we also have mining rights.

We have worked closely with local community leaders and organizations over the years to address community needs and improve standards in a number of areas, particularly in the areas of education, health care, agriculture and infrastructure development.

Education and Training

In the belief that learning is the foundation of strong, resilient communities, PT Inco has made education and training a focus of our community involvement in Indonesia. We have built and operated through our Sorowako education foundation two kindergartens, two elementary schools, a junior high school and a senior high school in Sorowako. We have also built a junior high school building in Central Sulawesi. We have assisted the government in building public schools in the neighbouring communities of Wasuponda and Wawondula and a new senior high school in Malino. As well, we have helped to build a teacher training centre at Wasuponda. On an ongoing basis, PT Inco has provided financial support to education including salary enhancements to teachers and has endowed a series of scholarships at several post-secondary institutions in Sulawesi.

Today, there are 2,000 students and 120 teachers in the school system sponsored and built by PT Inco, which has graduated 1,800 students from the senior high school in Sorowako since 1985.

In cooperation with Inco and Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. of Japan, PT Inco founded an occupational training centre in Sorowako, which provides two-year polytechnic training in a variety of industrial skills to qualify local residents for employment as first-class tradespeople.

Students honing their drafting skills at a polytechnic training program targeted toward high school graduates and offered through the Akademi Teknik Soroako/Technical Academy of Sorowako (ATS), Indonesia. Students honing their drafting skills at a polytechnic training program targeted toward high school graduates and offered through the Akademi Teknik Soroako/Technical Academy of Sorowako (ATS), Indonesia.

Health

Improving health care among local residents has long been a priority for PT Inco. To achieve that goal, we have built a 42 bed hospital and medical clinics in Sorowako and a number of surrounding villages.

Traditionally, the company has provided free medical examinations and treatment to all natives of Sorowako who are in financial need. Others receive discounts of 25 to 75 per cent on health care costs.

Agriculture

PT Inco has sponsored agricultural counselling designed to improve crop production for local farmers. Our contribution has helped to make the district not only self-sufficient in rice but also a rice exporter. Other programs include soil study, crop diversification and animal husbandry.

PT Inco helped raise rice yields by bringing in agriculturalists to train farmers in new techniques and by financing agricultural machinery. Today, the district is not only self-sufficient in rice but is also a rice exporter. PT Inco helped raise rice yields by bringing in agriculturalists to train farmers in new techniques and by financing agricultural machinery. Today, the district is not only self-sufficient in rice but is also a rice exporter.

Infrastructure Development

PT Inco has also funded additional infrastructure development including five megawatts of power to the local community through PLN, a state-owned power company. We also provide roads, an airport and seaport, places of worship, sports facilities, water and sewage treatment facilities, TV relay stations and community centres.

Our community development programs extend beyond the immediate project area and include assistance with fresh water systems, school building renovations, road paving, fruit and vegetable agricultural development and rice field irrigation.

Culture

The company has long been an active supporter of local cultural traditions and on an ongoing basis sponsors traditional dance and music festivals at the district, regional and provincial levels.

When celebrating Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, or when welcoming a distinguished guest to the community, Sorowako residents participate in Meoupudi, a traditional method to catch the small Opudi fish by herding them into the net. When celebrating Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, or when welcoming a distinguished guest to the community, Sorowako residents participate in Meoupudi, a traditional method to catch the small Opudi fish by herding them into the net.


PT Inco Hospital

PT Inco Hospital PT Inco has been providing medical services to our employees in the Sorowako area since we began our Indonesian operations in 1968. The hospital program includes community and regional medical programs and presently employs five doctors and 52 nurses. In addition, arrangements have been made with Hasanuddin University, Makassar, to supply specialists who visit the PT Inco Hospital on a regular basis.

The hospital provides medical services to both PT Inco employees and their dependants as well as to other members of the public. We are listening to client feedback and developing programs to continually improve overall care, systems and programs. As part of our community outreach, there are comprehensive programs focusing on the health of mothers and new-born babies and on the prevention of diseases such as hepatitis and diphtheria.

As well, a preventative medicine program focuses on distributing newsletters and bulletins to communities, providing information on a number of community health topics. Recently, the focus has been on developing prevention programs for contagious diseases and the promotion of health within the community. A special effort has been made to improve the health of children and youth.

PT Inco, with the Government of Indonesia, also supports and coordinates this effort at the regional health clinics. As part of the disease prevention program, spraying for mosquitoes is undertaken at Sorowako and the surrounding communities. The focus of this program is the prevention of malaria and dengue fever, two endemic diseases on Maluku Island, east of Sulawesi Island.

IN THIS SECTION
Inco in Indonesia
Contributing to Society
Our Communities: A Tradition of Support
Our Communities: A Continuing Partnership
Addressing Community Issues
Environmental Stewardship
Committed to Our Employees
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Last Updated: Monday, April 05, 2004