Fundauniban, Turbana’s social foundation, is celebrating its long-term social engagement in Colombia after donating a fixed amount of revenue for every box of bananas exported during the last 25 years, according to a news statement from the company.
The foundation began its social development efforts in the community of Urabá by building new houses to solve the lack of housing in the region, which Turbana said surprisingly the people initially rejected.
“Fundauniban realised that it had to establish more of a connection with the community so as to gain their trust, which they succeeded in doing by delving into the culture and interacting with the people themselves through dance, music, and sport,” the group noted.
“The results of Fundauniban's efforts are three-fold; the people of Urabá learn the necessary skills to sustain development for themselves and their families; they become a source of inspiration for others; they become wholly capable of giving back to their communities.”
Since Fundauniban's launch, there have been over 5000 housing solutions benefiting more than 25,000 people of Urabá; as well as 3,128 community equipment projects that have improved the condition of sanitary services and drinking water, the company said.
Many constructions and upgrades havealso been made in the educational and health systems, including 15 additional educational institutions, and 776 surgeries for children and teenagers who suffered from cleft lip and split palate deformities.
“These achievements are just the tip of the iceberg,” Turbana explained. “Over the last 25 years, Fundauniban has invested over US$230m in hundreds of projects in social development, community infrastructure, and economic development to improve the people of Urabá’s quality of life, health and happiness.”
“Our most rewarding achievement is our workers’ empowerment and positive attitude towards work; they know they are a fundamental part of an enterprise,” Marion Tabard, Turbana's Marketing Director commented.
“Not only do they believe in their capabilities, they also strive to educate themselves and seek a better future for their children.'
Turbana is the fourth largest importer of bananas in the US.
The group is owned by Fyffes, one of the largest tropical produce importers and distributors in Europe, and by Uniban, the world's largest banana co-op of independent growers based in Colombia
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