In their commitment to education and the development of the territories, Codelco's own workers and collaborators from the Mining Resources and Development Management (GRMD) of El Teniente Division joined together to deliver school supplies kits to 40 boys and girls from the Los Peumos sector of Machalí. With this activity, the people of El Teniente began their 2024 Volunteer Program.

Flor Palma Matus, president of the neighborhood association of the sector, said that “due to the economic situation of our sector, this support is excellent. There are families that have more than two children, so it is even more necessary to help them. In addition, this contribution serves to encourage children to continue studying.”

Workers have participated in various activities with the community of Los Peumos, including Christmas volunteering, support for the Centre for Reinforcement of Education and Learning (CREA) and improvements to the area's square. In total, the support has benefited more than 400 families in the area.

Daniela Martínez, an engineer at GRMD, said that “the reception is always good and a nice relationship has been created. For us, it is important to maintain this connection over time, because we are embedded in the communities. On this occasion, the focus was to help the continuity of the education of the minors in the area.”

The school kits were given to boys and girls from 5 to 12 years old. “They always remember us, just as we remember them. We appreciate any gesture they do for us. This is also their home,” added Nathaly Leviman, assistant at the Reinforcement Center of the place.

Impact on local educational projects

This initiative marks the start of the Division's 2024 Volunteer Program, as an integral part of its strategy to generate a positive social impact in the territory and sustainably improve the well-being of the communities close to its operations.

Carlos Vásquez, Community Development Supervisor, explained that “the main purpose of this program is to move towards the implementation of actions with a permanent impact on the quality of life of the various communities, with a particular focus on local educational projects.”

During 2023, more than 4,500 workers organized community support activities. In total, 73 activities were organized in 14 locations in the Valparaíso, Metropolitan, O'Higgins, Ñuble and Biobío regions.