Commemorating Hyundai Steel’s 70th anniversary, a social contribution project is being conducted that continues to grow beyond all borders. The “Energy Efficient School” project in Chennai, India for the supply of solar power to local schools is a prime example of Hyundai Steel’s heart of service! Come along as we go onsite with the Dream Challenge Volunteer Team, comprised of Hyundai Steel employees, to hear more about their volunteer work and stories of cultural exchange.
Traveling with a Heart of Sincerity to the Distant and Unfamiliar India
India is a growing market for the Hyundai Motor Group that is characterized by a strong synergy, created by the simultaneous entry of parts and steel-related subsidiaries, and a heavy focus on finished vehicles. Starting with the Chennai Plant (HSCH), Hyundai Steel established three factories in India, including a mobility-specialized pipe and tube plant (HSPI) for automobiles and motorcycles and the Anantapur Plant (HSAN), as well as a branch office in New Delhi.
The Dream Challenge Volunteer Team visited the Chennai Plant
In India, fulfilling your corporate social responsibility (CSR) is considered a legal obligation. As part of its CSR activities in India, for the last three years (since 2018), Hyundai Steel has been operating the “Happy Safe Village” project in the Sengadu region to improve education, hygiene, and safety for area schools and the local community. By identifying and addressing crucial community needs and challenges related to education, hygiene, health, and safety Hyundai Steel is demonstrating its true heart of care and sincerity.
In 2023, Hyundai Steel resumed its social contribution efforts in India, which had been briefly interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and has partnered with World Vision for the “Energy Efficient School” initiative, designed to address the needs of the local community.
The “Energy Efficient School” project, to be conducted for three years starting from 2023, is an initiative targeting the Chennai and Anantapur regions. Chronic power shortages in India frequently cause power outages at schools, so solar panels will be installed as part of the initiative to ensure that schools have a stable electricity supply. In addition, fire pits in the cafeteria will be replaced with high-efficiency stoves, which will not only contribute to environmentally-friendly energy generation but will also conserve energy. Much to the delight of students and residents in the “Happy Safe Village,” improvements are also being made to restroom, hygiene, and safety facilities.
Melnallathur Middle and High School students and the Dream Challenge Volunteer Team
Members of the Dream Challenge Volunteer Team
To enhance the authenticity of the Energy Efficient School project, Hyundai Steel is sending employee volunteers to India starting this year. For this effort members for the Dream Challenge Volunteer Team were selected. This special team is responsible for carrying out volunteer activities overseas for Hyundai Steel while representing the company’s unique brand and image.
Volunteers were initially selected based on their volunteer activities from the previous year, participation in the 70th Anniversary Charity Walk Campaign, and role-specific portfolios. The final volunteers were chosen through a random drawing. A total of 10 members were selected for the volunteer team, achieving an ideal mix of different age groups and individuals with general and technical skills.
Choi Il-gyoo, Head of the Strategy Planning Division, conducting the random drawing for the volunteer team
The volunteer team consisted of: Cha Kyung-jin, a certified emergency medical technician; Kwon Su-gyeong, a certified nurse in charge of overseeing the health of the volunteer team; Ko Tae-hun, known for showing strength in the face of adversity; Kim Young-chan, an avid Apple enthusiast overflowing with ideas; Kim Hye-yun, the youngest and most charming team member from Gyeongsang-do Province; Lee Bo-ram, an always reliable team member from Suncheon Plant; Lee Tae-kyu, who is always seen with a gentle smile; An Hee-rak, who became a star among young Indian girls for his bright smile and charm, and last but not least; Jung Young-chan, who turned the team’s memories in India into a lasting record with his semi-professional filming gear and skills. Together, these individuals formed an amazing team with unparalleled talents.
The selected team members gathered for orientation
The volunteer team received basic, pre-departure training on volunteering in India, which covered general information, precautions, and preparations. They also engaged in lively brainstorming sessions to prepare for cultural exchange events and other activities in the local area.
Meeting with Indian Students, Sharing Dreams and Culture
The Dream Challenge Volunteer Team stayed in the Chennai region in India for a six-night, seven-day stay, from September 10 to 16 to kickoff the “Energy Efficient School” project at Melnallathur High School in Chennai. Melnallathur High School is a coed middle and high school in India for students ages 12 years and up, which is equivalent to middle school students in Korea.
The volunteer team were enthusiastically welcomed by the students before beginning their cleanup activities. They cleared the school grounds of litter, fallen leaves, and branches, and tided up the classrooms. Students and the volunteer team worked together to create eco-friendly murals that serve as beacons of hope and an invaluable educational resource for the children in India who have a limited awareness of the importance of environmental conservation.
Students welcome the Dream Challenge Volunteer Team
The volunteer team cleaning the school grounds
The volunteer team painting murals with the students
During their stay, the volunteers participated in meaningful cultural exchange with the students. The Indian students and the volunteer team joined played “Dunggeulge Dunggeulge” (Round & Round) and jegichagi, and the students seemed to enjoying learning and playing the traditional Korean games.
Volunteer team giving out gifts and teaching the students jegichagi, a traditional Korean game
The volunteer team also organized an event in which the students wrote a letter to their future selves to be opened one year later. The students read the letters aloud before folding them into paper airplanes, and launching them into the sky, creating the beautiful scene of the students’ many dreams flying around the school year. The team promised to collect all the letters and deliver them back to the students one year from now.
Folding letters containing the students’ dreams into paper airplanes and flying them together
One of the highlights of the trip was the performance held on the last day. The students took the stage first, showcasing various performances to introduce the volunteer to the traditional and popular culture of India. Next, it was Dream Challenge Volunteer Team’s turn to take the stage! The team comprised of members in their 40s and 50s set the mood, and then the team comprised of team members in their 20s and 30s performed a dance to BTS’s “Permission to Dance,” which they practiced hard to prepare. As the music played, the students cheered, and the volunteer “BTS Team” delivered a near-perfect performance in return.
The students put on high-quality cultural performances
The Dream Challenge Volunteer Team showcased a BTS dance
Finally, a ceremony, attended by the school’s principal and teachers, was held for the installation of the solar panels and the donation of related facilities. The volunteer group’s seven-day journey concluded with a group photo.
A group photo with the students at the end of the event
* A word from the volunteer team members
Cha Kyung-jin: I have been volunteering as Red Cross lifeguard for eight years, but this volunteer work was even more special to me. It was a truly enjoyable, fulfilling, and deeply meaningful time.
Lee Bo-ram: The sunlight and children’s laughter in India that I felt that day, together with the hard work I put in, have become one of the most beautiful memories of my life. I am grateful to Hyundai Steel for giving me this valuable opportunity.
Jung Young-chan: I am happy and grateful because I feel that I have left footprints to create a better world that transcends different cultures and languages.
Lee Tae-kyu: As I painted murals and exchanged cultures with the children, I also become lost in the world of childhood innocence, and time just flew by. I am grateful to the team members who presented me with such unforgettable memories.
Kwon Su-gyeong: While participating in the Happy Move Global Youth Volunteers program, I pledged to contribute to creating a happy world by joining the Hyundai Motor Group. Now, I am fulfilling that dream here at Hyundai Steel.
Ko Tae-hun: I have written an unforgettable page of my life in the unfamiliar place of Chennai, India. I will miss the pure-hearted students who continue to dream without blaming their circumstances.
Kim Hye-yun: I joined the company this year and I am truly happy to have been a part of the 70th Anniversary Charity Walk Campaign and this overseas volunteer service in India. Thanks to the Indian students, local staff, and fellow volunteers, I have created wonderful memories♡.
An Hee-rak: I can still clearly see the children looking at us with their round, sparkling eyes. I will never forget the cheers I heard during our BTS performance.
Kim Young-chan: I only had some vague ideas about India. But after visiting and receiving the warm welcome from the students, I feel a greater sense of familiarity with the country. Thank you for the precious memories.
Hyundai Steel is gearing up to expand its global volunteer activities through the Dream Challenge Volunteer Group. Although the company has been focusing on activities in Chennai, India, we aim to arrange for more opportunities for employees to actively volunteer in different countries and regions. Members of volunteer groups will continue to be selected fairly, factoring in each individuals record of participating in social contribution projects and special talents. Please keep a look out for future announcements!