The Vopak WeConnect Foundation reaches out to the young people that are living in our nearby communities.
Many young people in our surrounding communities grow up with fewer opportunities in life. Often, they need a helping hand and support to learn that there is a world outside waiting to be discovered. The Vopak WeConnect Foundation can offer this support by helping the youth to acquire useful knowledge and skills, to learn languages, to get inspired by career stories or to help them through music, art or even sports activities. Sometimes there is a need to lay a foundation for their learning like providing internet at school, taking care of necessary stationery or setting up a library.
Since the launch of the Foundation in 2017, many colleagues have engaged with their local community and have started a Vopak WeConnect project together with local partners. During the COVID pandemic, the Vopak WeConnect Foundation provided funding for donations to help young people and their families in our local communities.
You may find an overview of all our projects below. Learn more about a Vopak WeConnect through an example from South Africa.
Projects
Rethink Plastic Vietnam - Dong Nai, Vietnam
During World Cleanup Day in September, a kick-off event was launched where Vopak employees and students committed to raise awareness about plastic waste. In four weeks, joint activities were organized, such as making posters and billboards, collecting household plastics, evaluating personal usage of plastics as well as small fun cleaning competitions.
Sunny Youth Program - Haiteng, China
As mental health is a serious problem among young people, the program, designed for youngsters between 12 to 15, aims to prevent mental health issues amongst vulnerable youngsters. Various activities were undertaken, such as lectures about psychological health, individual guidance sessions and group guidance sessions which includes games.
Summer Season Program - Lanshan, China
This one-day event was organized with a school in Lanshan town to increase the safety awareness of students. They were taught first aid skills and how to use a fire extinguisher, for example. Vopak employees also shared their experience of working with people from various cultures in an international company.
Windows to the World - Pengerang, Malaysia
Launched in 2016, the first edition focused on teaching English. The program's scope broadened since then by also including topics like life skills and resume writing, and provides grants to help graduates access university. The fifth edition of this program started in 2023 and expanded its scope by including marine conservation & sustainability programs in combination with career-related workshops.
Go Alemoa Go - Alemoa, Brazil
Launched in 2018 after community consultation, this project aims to create job opportunities for teenagers and young adults through sports, civic, and cultural activities in partnership with the Johan Cruijff and Anne Frank Foundation. Recent editions expand the program to cinema, audiovisual production, theater, and environmental and indigenous cultural visits, empowering youngsters to be community change agents.
Creating New Horizons at Sea - Europoort, The Netherlands
In collaboration with the Rotterdam-based Mano Foundation, this program takes Vopak employees and asylum seekers who have obtained a residence permit on a Eendracht ship sailing trip. The goal of the program is to connect and exchange views with one another. Moreover, training sessions about the Dutch labor market are part of the program.
Just for Kicks - Singapore
Set up in cooperation with four local NGOs, the year-round program uses football as a creative and fun way to inculcate over 100 kids with leadership and life skills and foster their physical and mental wellbeing. The program also helps break gender stereotypes and foster team spirit, awareness, diversity and inclusion - showing that football is not just a sport for boys.
A Day at Deer Park - Houston, U.S.
In collaboration with Deer Park High School, Vopak volunteers provided insights into the company, shared their career journeys, and gave tours of Vopak facilities. The STEM event aimed to broaden students' understanding of career paths in the industry, including showcasing women in various roles from operations to leadership.
Uraan 2.0 - Bin Qasim, Pakistan
A year-long training program is established for young women from underrepresented universities. It aims to empower them for traditionally male-dominated roles like operations, safety, and sustainability through technical and soft skills training, as well as on-the-job experience, including plant visits.
Women Entrepreneurs 3.0 - Panama
The project aims to empower young women entrepreneurs, with the latest program focused on developing innovation and marketing skills, enhancing self-confidence and professional appearance, learning how to make a resume, offering guidance and practical advice for job interviews and address the importance of gender equity.
From Classroom to reality - Veracruz, Mexico
Collaborating with NGO Junior Achievement (JA), the team enrolled 100 local high school and university students to guide them in their career paths. Through a terminal visit, they learned about Vopak's role in the supply chain and its societal impact. Similar JA programs were set up in two other locations in Mexico.
Jobs of the Future - Lesedi, South Africa
Around 300 high school students engaged in a project to educate them about future jobs and equip them with essential skills for a changing job market. The program focused on emerging trends, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
Life Skills Durban - Durban, South Africa
The project provided close to 400 high-school learners with life skills training, career guidance as well as mental health support. It helped them deal with difficult situations they face in their personal lives, including abuse, grief and loss, bullying, poverty and substance abuse.