Published: February 07, 2017
Published: February 07, 2017
Hanna Świerkowska Nepal Pt. 2
Two weeks ago we were proud to introduce our Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist Hanna Świerkowska who works out of the PPG Deco Polska Architectural Coatings plant in Wroclaw, Poland and the amazing work she's been doing in Nepal.
Here's an in-depth look at some of the most important work she carried out when she was there:
Earthquake relief
In April 2015, a huge earthquake hit the country, killing nearly 9,000 people and injuring nearly 22,000 others. Hanna felt compelled to return, this time for humanitarian reasons.
I decided to go there and help. Some people made fun of me, asking what I could do there on my own, and saying that there are specialist organizations providing aid.
Hanna, however, had made up her mind. She contacted Sumi and, a few days later, was back in Nepal helping a British woman she’d met to distribute medicines and corrective glasses to earthquake victims.
I must admit that walking through the fields of tents full of homeless children, elderly people and
pregnant women who had lost all their belongings was very depressing. We helped as much as we could – taking care of victims’ wounds, handing out corrective glasses.
Her work led her to
Children of the Mountain, an organisation that provides education to the poorest Nepalis.
Children of the Mountain’s school in Kathmandu was forced to close because of damage to a neighbouring building so classes were taking place in a tent next to a sewage-filled river.
This was the first time I’d seen kids crying from starvation because they hadn’t eaten for three days. These places and these kids’ stories taught me humility and gratitude for what I have.
Keep an eye on the One Of Use section of the PPG People blog for more stories of our employees making a difference.