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Working as a team over the last two days, villagers of Navlakhumbre, international government officials from Germany, United Kingdom and Estonia and UPS volunteers from all over the world partnered with each other to construct two state-of-the-art computer labs that will connect this village in Maharashtra to the world. The two computer labs were built with a financial investment of approximately Rs.2.5 crore and consist of 50 computers, all linked via satellite to provide Internet access to the villagers.

At a dedication ceremony held at the construction site today, the labs were handed over to the residents of Navlakhumbre by Shri. Shivaji Adhalrao Patil, Member of Parliament from Khed (Maharashtra), together with Ken Torok, president of UPS Asia Pacific Region.

UPS has adopted a distinct approach to community work by encouraging its employees to immerse themselves in the local culture as they work side-by-side with residents of the community.

The UPS Building Program is a commitment between UPS, the local, regional and federal Indian governments and the people of Navlakhumbre and the partnership is key to the success of the program. The Indian government has committed to match UPS's contribution to the village in the form of funding for road improvement, educational support and healthcare.

"The investment by UPS's Building Program is just the beginning," added Torok. "We will continue to support these efforts through the financing of teachers, Internet connectivity and the awarding of scholarships so long as the villagers and government maintain this tight partnership to see it through."

In addition to the financial commitment, UPS provided staffing toward the training of teachers for the computer labs and English classes. UPS also initiated programs to address public health issues such as malnutrition in children, lack of medical attention and general hygiene for the villagers. School children now are provided with dietary supplements at school; doctors have held mass examination camps for residents needing medical attention, and garbage cans have been placed all over the village along with posters highlighting the importance of hygiene.

In the last eight years, UPS has constructed computer labs in remote villages in Poland, Mexico and China. In 2005, 80 UPS employees from 11 countries constructed a fully functional computer lab complete with computers, printers, software and training for students, teachers and residents of Lipa, Poland.

UPS is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain services, offering an extensive range of options for synchronizing the movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. UPS's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS) and the company can be found on the Web at UPS.com.

Highlights of the UPS Building Program

The Process

• UPS commits financing and staffing towards the training of teachers for the computer labs and English classes, as well as for the construction of two computer labs
• Other assistance is provided in the form of programs to help improve basic health services
• The Indian Government commits to match UPS's contribution to the village in the form of funding for road improvements, educational support, and healthcare
• The Government must also develop and execute a plan that makes the transformation of the village possible (Such as developing clean water sources and maintaining the sanitary needs of the village)
• The people of Navlakhumbre are the main beneficiaries and hold the key to the program's success
• Villagers work alongside UPS volunteers to ensure the sustainability of the project and to adopt the vision of what must be done to sustain the project's long-term success.

The Achievement To-Date

• Construction of two new computer labs with 50 computers for two schools in the village that will aid children's education and help connect the village to the world
• Financial support for the hiring and training of computer lab instructors, and English language programs for all village residents
• Academic scholarships for outstanding students to pursue higher education
• Financial support for art, music, and science classes
• Financial support for the purchase of equipment and instruction in sports and music programs
• Dietary supplements for children at school
• Addressing basic health issues through a doctor
• Mass examination camps conducted for the village residents and children needing medical attention
• Hepatitis B vaccination for all children in the village
• New uniforms for all school children
• Play equipment for children given by UPS employees as voluntary donations
• Provided basic hygiene tools such as garbage cans for the entire village; organised regular garbage collection; periodic cleaning of garbage cans and building sanitary facilities such as toilets for the village residents

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