50th ‘Dream & Green’ library opens

Hanwha E&C CEO Choi Kwang-ho, middle, helps in building the “Dream & Green” library at the Eden Welfare Center in Guro District, western Seoul, which opened on Wednesday. [HANWHA E&C]

Hanwha Engineering & Construction (E&C) opened its 50th “Dream & Green” library at the Eden Welfare Center in Guro District, western Seoul on Wednesday. The company has been working with Seoul Association Welfare Institutes for the Disabled on the project since 2011 and plans to open its 60th library by 2016.

Approximately 30 people, including Hanwha E&C CEO Choi Kwang-ho and members at the welfare center, attended the opening ceremony. “We will continue to serve as a member of the community by continuing the library project,” Choi said.

Hanwha E&C builds libraries in centers for disabled people around the nation and provides the disabled with access to books in the library. The company remodels space within the centers to accommodate disabled users.

The company donated more than 1,000 books to 50 libraries it has opened since the beginning of its initiative, including to the Dongchun Community Rehabilitation Center in Nowon District, northern Seoul.

The company has also been organizing field trips for middle school students interested in architecture since 2013 under the programs “Future of Architecture’s Trip” and “Hanwha E&C’s School of Architecture.” Hanwha took students to Paju Book City and arranged meetings with architects.

Students had an opportunity to make Korean-style houses, waterwheels and windmills.

Hanwha E&C’s approximately 1,900 employees participated in more than 100 volunteer activities last year.

“It was very meaningful to volunteer with colleagues, and I would like to continue to participate in future events,” said Kim Dong-seon, the third son of Hanwha Chairman Kim Seung-youn who works at Hanwha E&C, after attending one of the volunteer activities.

BY KIM YOUNG-NAM [kim.youngnam@joongang.co.kr]