|
Vol. 5, Iss. 2 | August 18, 2011Letter from the PresidentSince our last edition, a number of exciting events have taken place within the Firestone Liberia community. The company was excited to host members of the U.S. Congress, including Rep. Peter Roskam and Rep. Bobby Rush of Illinois, Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. of Wisconsin, and Rep. Adrian Smith of Nebraska, along with a delegation from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, at Firestone Liberia this March. The visit was part of a fact-finding mission to Ghana and Liberia focused on trade, energy, and other economic and social issues in Africa. During their visit, we provided the group with information about the economic and social investments the company has made in the country as well as with a tour of the rubber farm. Roskam represents Bloomingdale, Ill., home to the headquarters of our Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC (BSRO) sister company, and it was a pleasure for us to show him and the rest of the delegation the significant progress that is being made in post-war Liberia. I am also very excited and proud to report on some impressive updates from Firestone Liberia's educational system. A student from Firestone Senior High School, Saidu Konneh, scored Division 1 on the 2011 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams. Konneh was the only student in Liberia to attain Division 1, which is the highest grade possible on this standardized test taken throughout West Africa. For his efforts, Konneh was invited to meet with Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the Executive Mansion in June. Further, all 167 Firestone students who sat for the WAEC exams passed, giving the school a 100 percent pass rate. For their collective outstanding educational pursuits, the entire student body of Firestone Senior High School welcomed President Sirleaf a few weeks later as the guest speaker at their graduation ceremonies in July. We were also able to share updates about the fantastic work going on within the Firestone health system with teammates at the Bridgestone Americas headquarters in Nashville, Tenn. In June, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lyndon G. Mabande gave a presentation to employees about the history of the Firestone Medical Center and the role its health care projects play for Firestone Liberia employees and for surrounding communities. We invite you to learn about these items and more below and on our website, www.FirestoneNaturalRubber.com. Thank you for your continued interest in our company and its employees. Dan Adomitis, President
Delegation Including Four Members of the United States Congress Visits Firestone LiberiaReps. Peter Roskam and Bobby Rush (Illinois), F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (Wisconsin) and Adrian Smith (Nebraska) from the U.S. Congress, along with a delegation from the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, traveled to Liberia on Saturday, March 26, as part of a fact-finding mission focused on trade, energy, and other economic and social issues in Africa. During their visit, the delegation toured the grounds of Firestone Liberia to learn about the company's operations in the country and the company's numerous investments in its employees and their community. The group began their visit by meeting with Charles Stuart, Managing Director of Firestone Liberia, and spent the day viewing a rubber tapping demonstration and touring the Firestone Liberia nursery, medical center, schools and employee housing facilities.
"It was valuable to see the incredible progress that's been made in rebuilding Liberia after a destructive civil war," said Roskam. "That progress was particularly evident at Firestone, where thousands of Liberians have steady jobs, access to high-quality medical facilities and schools, and the ability to create a better life. There is a long way to go before Liberia fully recovers from the devastating effects of a brutal dictator and civil war, but efforts like these are important steps to achieving that goal." "There is no better way to fully understand the progress that is being made in Liberia, or the great challenges the country is facing, than by witnessing first-hand the development since the 14-year civil war ended," said Stuart. "It was a pleasure to welcome Rep. Roskam and the entire delegation from Congress and the Wilson Center to the Firestone operation to see the remarkable progress our team has made — and continues to make — rehabilitating the rubber industry, rebuilding our operation, and restoring our school system, medical center and the many other social services Firestone provides our employees and neighboring communities." Roskam also found the time during his visit to Liberia to give an interview with the Voice of Firestone radio station. The full clip of this interview can be heard on the Firestone Liberia website.
Firestone Senior High School Student Scores Division 1 on WAEC ExamsStudents from across Liberia's educational system recently completed the 2011 West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams and, when all the grades were tallied, a Firestone Senior High School student received the highest score in the country. After more than 23,000 students submitted their work for grading, Firestone student Saidu Konneh scored Division 1, the highest division possible and the only Liberian student to do so, on the 2011 WAEC examinations. For his outstanding efforts, Konneh was invited to meet President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the Executive Mansion on Sunday, June 5. The WAEC exams are administered in several West African countries, including Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. In Liberia, students are placed into divisions based on the scores they receive. Last year a similar number of students participated in the exams, but zero reached the Division 1 level. Of the five students in Liberia who reached the Division 2 level last year, four were from Firestone Liberia's high school. As the WAEC exam results have illustrated, Firestone Senior High School is recognized as one of the best high schools in Liberia, with well-equipped computer and science laboratories as well as a library to provide students with a comfortable, state-of-the-art learning environment. While the WAEC exams are over for this year, Firestone students and staff will continue to work and study hard in preparation for the 2012 examinations.
President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Speaks at Firestone Senior High School Commencement CeremonyOn Saturday, July 16, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was welcomed as the guest speaker of the 2011 commencement ceremonies for the students of Firestone Senior High School. In her commencement address, the president commended the students for their academic achievements this past year and called upon them to continue in their academic pursuits. "This class of 2011, has already proven its significance by producing top level students capable of passing the WAEC exams," said the president. "With smart young people like you in this graduating class, full of aspirations and dreams and ambition, I have no doubt that the future of this great nation, our Liberia, will be in safe and excellent hands." President Sirleaf also reminded the graduates that they are beneficiaries of the social responsibility provisions being met by Firestone Liberia through its many investments in education as well as other social services in communities where the company operates.
"Our thanks and deep appreciation to the Firestone Liberia family, and to the president, faculty, administrators and staff for transforming this high school into an institution that is turning out 173 graduates, all of them determined, we trust, to further their education," Sirleaf said. "For education, as we know only too well, is the cornerstone of the development of any nation, most especially one emerging from decades of upheaval and self-destruction." Following her commencement address, President Sirleaf was given a tour of the computer and biology laboratories of the Firestone Senior High School. Charles Stuart, Managing Director of Firestone Liberia, also made remarks during the program and congratulated the students for a job well done. He urged them to continue to have the desire to succeed in life, saying, "You must enter the next phase of your journey, take with you the lessons you have learned in these halls and never let anything stand in your way of succeeding." Watching the students move on to the next level of their academic careers was a bittersweet joy for the Firestone Liberia employees, staff and teachers who have worked with these students for the past four years. The graduates' friends and families expressed confidence that the 2011 senior class will move on to successful futures. Dr. Lyndon Mabande Discusses Liberian Health and Medicine at Bridgestone Americas Headquarters in NashvilleOn Friday, June 17, Firestone Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lyndon G. Mabande spoke with teammates at the Nashville, Tenn., headquarters of Bridgestone Americas, about the role that the Firestone Medical Center plays in Liberia and the impact of its health care projects on the farm and surrounding communities.
Addressing a packed room, Mabande gave a detailed presentation on the Firestone Medical Center and the outstanding developments that have been made since the hospital was destroyed during Liberia's civil war. He also discussed the scarcity of medical treatment in Liberia and described the health care system that is offered to Firestone Liberia's employees and their families. Mabande also emphasized that the hospital does much more than serve only Firestone employees; it is open to all Liberian people in need of medical care. In his role as Chief Medical Officer, Mabande coordinates all activities of Firestone Liberia's medical services. Mabande also advises the company on professional and clinical policies and procedures that impact the health and welfare of employees, their dependents and the general public. New Company Statistics ReleasedFirestone Liberia takes pride in the progress made every day in its ongoing rebuilding effort. Be sure to take the time to see our latest stat sheet, which is a snapshot of the latest developments from the company's more than $107 million in post-war capital investment. |
