The cheque was handed to Mercy Ships managing director Ken Berry in Cotonou by MTN Benin executives comprising of Nicolas Gomez, head: corporate social affairs and Ebenezer Bodylawson, chief financial officer.
“I was extremely humbled when I came to the ship and saw the level of commitment and generosity. This small donation serves to congratulate Mercy Ships in everything they do for the people of Benin, for Africa and for the entire world that is less fortunate,” says Bodylawson.
This year, Mercy Ships will provide more than 6,200 surgeries at no charge for the people of Benin since docking in February and will depart in early December 2009. It is the fourth visit of a Mercy Ship to Benin.
“We are grateful to see an African commercial entity embrace what we're doing and be willing to partner with us in a substantial financial way. We understand your commitment to the people of Benin,” says Berry.
The MTN Benin Foundation has also set up a toll-free line where residents can get information on HIV/Aids and built a school in partnership with Aide et Action International, an NGO working on changing children lives for the better. The reception of the school is planned for January 2010.
During the 21 Days of Y'ello Care - MTN's flagship staff volunteerism programme - MTN Benin employees constructed a boat that ferried primary school pupils living on a lakeside village to school. Employees further contributed funds and purchased a motor to drive the boat.
MTN expanded its footprint in the West African country of Benin following its acquisition of Investcom in 2006. Investcom had operations in Benin, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, and had licences to build networks in Afghanistan and Guinea.
Benin has a population of approximately 8,7 million and MTN has a 38% market share equating to 1, 3 million subscribers.
For more information on Mercy Ships, go to www.mercyships.org.
