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Donation of diapers and medical supplies to benefit mothers and newborn children in South America
In keeping with their pledge to support the health, education and well-being of the citizens in their communities, Kimberly-Clark facilities in Paraguay and Uruguay have made some recent significant contributions to neighboring organizations in need.
Diapers in Uruguay
In Uruguay, K-C, in partnership with the Álvarez-Caldeyro Barcia Foundation and the Instituto Perinatal del Uruguay (IPU/Perinatal Institute of Uruguay), recently donated more than 30,000 diapers to the Pereira Rossell Hospital. The donation was made as part of Kimberly-Clark’s +comUNIDAD community relations program, which is based on three essential elements for the development of people’s potential: health, education and quality of life. Through this program, the company carries out sustainable projects that contribute to improving the quality of life of the communities in which it operates.
Kimberly-Clark awarded a grant to 10 women to attend the Community Doulas course within the framework of the +comUNIDAD program. The women are pictured here with the General Coordinator of the Perinatal Institute Flavia Previtali and Assistant Director Miryam Alvez.
As part of this program, K-C is involved in a comprehensive support initiative with the IPU. The initiative includes childbirth classes for mothers who plan to give birth at this public hospital; training for community doulas who accompany mothers before, during and after childbirth; and for breastfeeding coaches who offer these women their knowledge and support.
“The decision to support the Álvarez Caldeyro-Barcia Foundation strengthens Kimberly-Clark’s concept of improving the quality of life of the most unprotected children in Uruguay,” said Ignacio Seoane, general manager of Kimberly-Clark Uruguay. “In order to contribute to the fulfillment of basic needs of mothers and babies from critical contexts, the company supports the Pereira Rossell Hospital through this foundation, with an action that complements the program developed in agreement with the IPU.”
Marta Barreneche, member of the Álvarez Caldeyro-Barcia Foundation’s Board of Directors, thanked Kimberly-Clark Uruguay for the donation of diapers on behalf of mothers and children who are patients at the Pereira Rossell Hospital.
The Álvarez Caldeyro-Barcia Foundation is a charitable organization with the goal of helping mothers from the most unprotected sectors of society and their children. The IPU promotes community service projects related to research, teaching, and assistance to families during pregnancy, childbirth and immediately following childbirth.
Medical equipment in Paraguay
Also as part of K-C’s +comUNIDAD community relations program, Kimberly-Clark has made a donation of medical instruments and equipment valued at more than $500,000 to the Hospital Materno Infantil de San Lorenzo, a maternity hospital in Asunción, Paraguay. The donation was made through MedShare International, a nonprofit organization that facilitates the donation of unneeded medical equipment and supplies from the U.S. to hospitals in developing countries. Kimberly-Clark and MedShare International have been working together to bring critically needed medical supplies to health facilities around the world for more than 10 years.
 As part of its +comUNIDAD community relations program, Kimberly-Clark has made a donation of medical instruments and equipment to the Hospital Materno Infantil de San Lorenzo, a maternity hospital in Asunción, Paraguay.
The donation was made at a special presentation attended by representatives from all participating organizations and dignitaries such as Vice President of the Republic Dr. Federico Franco, Gov. Carlos Amarilla, authorities of the Universidad Nacional de Asunción (National University of Asunción) and from the Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social (Health and Social Well Being Ministry), and the mayors of San Lorenzo and Fernando de la Mora districts.
“Through these actions K-C Paraguay aims to positively impact the communities where we have our business, and protect kids and their families,” said José Luis Arias, general manager of K-C Paraguay.
Dr. Franco thanked Kimberly-Clark and partners on behalf of the Paraguayan government.
“At this hospital are the poorest people from all over Paraguay,” Dr. Franco said. “We appreciate this gesture … and we encourage Kimberly-Clark to keep on collaborating. Paraguay opens its doors to foreign capital and private investments with this corporate social responsibility.”
The contributions are consistent with Kimberly-Clark’s mission to help children and families around the world lead better lives.
“We are convinced that the needs of vulnerable populations have to be faced by all parties, private companies, non-governmental organizations and governmental entities”, said Fernando Hofmann, Legal and Corporate Affairs director of K-C Austral Region (Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile). “This equipment will enhance many lives. It is very important for us to actively participate in improving the communities where we operate.”
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