A Partnership for Health and Hygiene for School Children — a combined effort lead by Milad ‘l Dil and supported by Blue Bay Petroleum, Inc. (BBPI) and the Bank of Guam. This is a donation drive for the schools (Melekeok Elementary School and Ngaraard Elementary School) most affected by December’s super typhoon Bopha.

Sitting (L to R) – Faith Gulibert Sword, Director Debbie Sbal, Principal Ngereblunt Arurang (Peleliu Elem. School)

Standing (L to R) – Chief Sinton Soalablai, Carol Ngiraidis, Priscilla Soalablai, Blanche Salii, Jackie Senior, Lisa Paulis & Director Emery Wenty.

Palauan women’s NGO Milad ‘l Dil, whose main thrusts are children and education, distributed relief goods and school items to school children from the Melekeok Elementary School and Ngaraard Elementary School. These were among the schools most affected by December’s super typhoon Bopha.

According to Milad ‘l Dil President Blanche Salii, the donation drive starts the NGO’s 2013 campaign of activities in line with their Gift of Teaching Project (GFT).

“There is no better way to start the year than to reach out to school children, and there is no better way to do it than to partner with key players in Palau business,” said Ms. Salii.

The project, dubbed: A Partnership for Health and Hygiene for School Children is a combined effort lead by Milad ‘l Dil and supported by Blue Bay Petroleum, Inc. (BBPI) and the Bank of Guam (BOG). Blue Bay donated $2,000 and the Bank of Guam donated $1,000.

Ms. Salii mentioned that “We are looking forward to a busy 2013 and we encourage the private sector to continue to support our plans and programs. Blue Bay and the Bank of Guam take the lead with corporate social responsibility efforts and we are glad to be partnered with them,” she added.

Blue Bay Petroleum, Inc. donated $10,000 to support relief efforts for the victims of super typhoon Bopha, which hit Palau on the eve of Dec. 3.

The powerful super typhoon, packing winds of over 130mph, barreled through Palau and caused a country-wide blackout, while leaving a trail of damage and destruction that has left many families homeless or displaced, damages roads, while disrupting communication and broadcast capabilities.

Areas that were hardest hit were the eastern Babeldaob states of Ngaraard, Ngiwal, Melekeok, and Ngchesar. Also devastated were the southern states of Peleliu and Angaur.

“While government is doing what it can, we believe that it is our obligation, as a member of the private sector, to reach out to the community in this time of need,” said Ralph Moses, Blue Bay station manager.

Moses further added, “In a crisis such as this where many homes were lost and lives changed forever, there is no question, we must all come together to help the victims of this catastrophe. Palau is Blue Bay’s home, and as a member of the business community, being able to help out is important to us. This is the least we can do.”

Blue Bay Petroleum, Inc. is the authorized distributor of Mobil petroleum products in Palau. It operates 10 service stations, including aircraft refueling at the Palau International Airport.