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Trusts, foundations, funds (both for urgent and obvious development challenges as well as ongoing program commitments) send a powerful message that companies are helping to change society for the better. Effective contributions go towards any number of developmental, educational, and social causes and projects.
Reflecting the values of diamond corporations around the world, many schools, hospitals, earthquake relief, environmental causes, and AIDS research programs benefit from philanthropic contributions on any number of levels.
Kirtilal Mehta, a philanthropist who supported the Red Cross and other causes often quoted the words of the philosopher Etienne de Garellet: "I expect to pass through the world but once. Any good thing, therefore, I can do, or any kindness I can show to my fellow travellers - let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again." [In-Sight Autumn 1993]
- I. Hennig recently contributed $50,000.00 to the international sight saving charity ORBIS to purchase an operating microscope for the ORBIS flying hospital, which is a DC-10 aircraft converted into an operating theatre and teaching hospital.
- The Jewelers Charity Fund for Children is a non-profit organization created by the jewelry industry with the sole mission of raising monies for charities that primarily benefit children. In 2001, the Jewelers Charity Fund for Children will fund a Planning Grant for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's "Call to Action Project" in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- "One hand opened in charity is worth a hundred folded in prayer." Maftalal Mehta was the head of the Mother Theresa Belgian Charitable Trust. The story about this phrase, "One hand opened in charity" and the work with Mother Theresa of Calcutta is featured on the Jayam company's website to be found at www.amikam-paras.com
- The economic stability of countries such as South Africa, Namibia and Botswana is fundamentally based on the revenues received from their diamond producing industries. "Our diamonds have been used to build schools and hospitals, road and bridges, offices and homes," reported Botswana's President Festus Mogae. Botswana accounts for one-third of the world diamond output.
- The governments of Belgium and Israel have formally acknowledged Gembel Group's valuable contribution to the growth and success of the international diamond industry. It was stated on their website, www.geskay.com, "The late Mr. Kirtilal Manilal Mehta helped 1800 other Jains set up their own in the diamond business in Antwerp. These trade
house are now the power houses for the Belgian diamond industry and Indian
economy as well."
Counted amongst their philanthropic achievements are various charitable trusts which are devoted to social service. The Group has also opened schools in Palanpur and other centers in India helping to make education accessible to a deprived section of the society; and it has also been instrumental in opening the Leelavati Hospital in Palanpur.
- Formed in 1978, the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust has engaged in charitable endeavors across India. The Lilavati Hospital, a creation of the Lilavati Kirtilal Mehta Medical Trust, is a state-of-the-art hospital in Mumbai which is continuously making ultra-modern medical services available to the urban poor in the city. The combination of research and education with outpatient and hospital care distinguishes the hospital as a concerned non-profit healthcare organisation.
- The Tasaki Shinju organization has long been involved in activities promoting a wide range of musical, artistic, cultural and sports events. Classical music is a special field where our activities have gone beyond simple sponsorship, including a charity concert commemorating Tasaki's 40th anniversary, for the benefit of the Marine Environmental Management Organization.
- Because Botswana's diamonds are the foundation of its country's economic and social development, the government hired a U.S. public relations firm. Cabinet ministers, the governor of the central bank, and President Mogae traveled to inform a worldwide audience that Botswana's diamonds were used "to build schools and hospitals, roads and bridges, offices and homes".
- Speaking about Botswana's own diamond-based economy, at the National Press Club in Washington D.C., (before his meeting with US Secretary of State Colin Powell), President Mogae, pledged to work with other nations around the African continent. "Diamonds are the foundation of our success," Mogae said. "Largely because of diamonds, Botswana is the most prosperous non-oil producing nation in Africa."
- "We are fighting HIV/AIDS, and we have every intention to succeed," Mogae said.
- Anglo American, announced that it would begin providing free or deeply discounted anti-AIDS drugs to employees and their families. Anglo American is the biggest of several companies taking the lead in providing treatments that mitigate, but do not cure, the symptoms of the disease. "Companies are realizing that to invest money into managing the HIV/AIDS pandemic will be cheaper than addressing the aftermath of AIDS," says Brian Wasmuth, head of the South African Chamber of Business HIV/AIDS
program.
- www.diamondsfordevelopment.com is an official Botswana site.
- www.debeersgroup.com has information about their programs on AIDS and community involvement programs.
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