ICA Undertakes Social Responsibility Initiatives in Mining Areas

Benny and Jonny Bazalel, father and son, next to the 18 computers and printers being donated to the schools in the mining area of Boyaca, Colombia.

October 23, 2007
New York - The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) made a donation of 20 computers to schools in mining areas in Colombia in accordance with the association’s social responsibility initiatives.

Two years ago ICA conducted a mine tour in the emerald mining areas of Muzo, La Pita and Coscuez where, according to ICA Communications Director Jean Claude Michelou, ICA became closely involved with the mining communities donating two computers to schools at the end of the tour. “We recognized the lack of technology and need for more computers, so we followed up with the second donation a week ago reaching 18 more schools in the mining areas,” said Michelou.

Benny and Jonny had a little help that day from this year's Miss Emerald.
A ceremony was held at the University of Santo Tomas in the town of Chiquinquira where emerald miners, industry stakeholders, local mayors, provosts, professors, parents and students attended the well-publicized event. Making the presentation was Benny Bazalel, ICA Ambassador to Colombia, and his nephew Jonathan Bazalel, ICA member and marketing manager of CI Bogota Emerald Mart Ltda. Jonathan, who spoke on behalf of ICA, remarked, “The only thing we have asked is that these computers be for the exclusive use of the children and not for administrative purposes”.

ICA President Andrew Cody presents Mayor Jose Bonafacio Mourao of Governador Valadares with a check from ICA as a donation for purchase of computer equipment at schools in the Tourmalina district of Minas Gerais, Brazil.
In June of this year ICA President Andrew Cody visited the Brazil Gem Show where he made a donation on behalf of ICA to Mayor Jose Bonafacio Mourao of Governador Valadares towards the purchase of computer equipment at the schools in the Tourmalina district of Minas Gerais. “This is the first time these children will be able to have access to computers and the Internet; we’re glad to have been a facilitator for this opportunity,” remarked Cody.

Following the ICA Congress in Dubai and the mine tour to East Africa in May, with the help of ICA Ambassador to Kenya, Susie Kennedy, ICA arranged for the donation of computers to schools in mining areas the group visited in the country. Meanwhile, in Tanzania, ICA Ambassador Eric Saul is overseeing the construction of housing for teachers of a rural school in a mining area from funds donated by ICA and trip participants.

Photos available upon request.

For more information contact:

Barbara Lipatapanlop
Executive Director

International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA)
19 W. 21st St, Suite 705
New York, NY 10010
Tel: 1-212-620-0900
Fax: 1-212-352-9054
ica@gemstone.org
www.gemstone.org


The International Colored Gemstone Association, headquartered in New York City and operating an additional "GemBureau" in Idar-Oberstein, is the nonprofit trade association that represents the international colored gemstone industry, an extremely important and influential segment of the jewelry business. ICA has over 500 members in 46 countries worldwide.