EMCOR Group (UK) employees, Tanya Naylor, and David Lovelock recently used their expertise in building and facilities management services to assist in the construction and renovation of an orphanage and community centre in earthquake-stricken Haiti.
The two volunteers, based in Reading, represented the European Disaster Volunteers charity in the capital city, Port-au-Prince, where they worked on a variety of different construction, teaching and social projects. European Disaster Volunteers was established in 2008, and was quick to react to the enormous earthquake that devastated much of Haiti in 2010. EMCOR UK provides facilities management and engineering services for a diverse range of private and public sector organisations.
Planner Tanya and Safety Advisor, David quickly absorbed themselves in their volunteer work, utilising their skills to aid the community restoration schemes. EMCOR’s experience of providing facilities services and maintenance to buildings across the UK, including academies, schools, universities and further education facilities, provided Tanya and David with the background and experience to contribute the skills needed to perform the facilities restoration jobs required.
Tanya and David were welcomed with open arms as they provided much needed services and worked on a range of projects whilst in Haiti. Their skills and experience were crucial when it came to setting up the electrical service at the volunteers’ house; they also helped construct desks for the children at the Community Institute for the Children of Haiti School, laid concrete flooring, and rebuilt the dividing walls at Mix de Sabauth School. Tanya also spent time distributing much-needed worming tablets and vitamins, as well as toys and monetary donations, to the Hands Together To Defend The Children and Le Main Tendre orphanages; she also helped to teach English at both of these institutions. In addition, a new football tournament between two communities who, despite living only 50 metres apart, had experienced a sharp increase in rivalry and gang culture, was also Tanya’s idea. The landmark tournament encouraged communications between tribe leaders and is planned to continue as a scheduled event to increase understanding of each other’s communities.
This volunteer work is an extension of EMCOR Group, Inc.’s ‘EMCOR Touching Lives’ programme, a company-wide programme and approach to community involvement that reflects the Company’s core values of customer focus, commitment to employees, integrity, and entrepreneurship.
Tanya Naylor, commented: “Both David and I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to play a part in the projects in Haiti, particularly as EMCOR strives to help organisations where volunteering can make a real difference. It was important to us that we used our skills wisely and provide as much help as we could in a country that is still in such a state of disrepair. We were humbled by the hospitality of the people and their determination to succeed in such devastating circumstances. We’re proud that our work will help ensure that the community projects can continue to provide help for the residents of Port-au-Prince. We hope to return in the future!”
Tom O’Flaherty, Project Co-ordinator at the European Disaster Volunteers charity, commented: “It was brilliant that we were able to benefit from the expertise of the EMCOR UK volunteers, who applied their skills to the community schemes with such excellence. The construction, management, and social work projects in the capital are so vital in rebuilding the city’s infrastructure and re-igniting the community spirit in a place where at times all hope seems lost. We are so grateful for the time and effort so generously given by Tanya and David, and the support provided by EMCOR; it would be our pleasure to have them participate again in the future”.
For further information on EMCOR UK, please visit www.emcoruk.com or telephone 0845 600 2300.
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