Fundacion Azteca Guatemala Launches to Support Health, Education, the Economy and...

Fundacion Azteca Guatemala Launches to Support Health, Education, the Economy
and the Environment
Grupo Salinas is Committed to Guatemala

GUATEMALA CITY, June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Salinas, founded by Mexican
entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego, through Guatemala-based subsidiaries
of Grupo Elektra, Banco Azteca and Television Azteca formalizes this week its
commitment to aid those most in need with the launch of Fundacion Azteca
Guatemala.
Fundacion Azteca was founded in Mexico as a non-profit organization over a
decade ago as a strong promoter of socially responsible companies, bridging
the gap between societal needs and organizations that are committed to social
and environmental issues. Today, the successful model of Fundacion Azteca will
serve as the foundation for Fundacion Azteca Guatemala, joining efforts by
Guatemala's civil society and public sector to improve health, education,
development and ecology.
The primary mission of Fundacion Azteca Guatemala is to support the most
vulnerable groups of society and improve living conditions and ecology in the
country.
Rodrigo Sawaya, as President of Fundacion Azteca Guatemala, and Carlos
Bukantz Garza, as Vice President, will head up the working plan of Fundacion
Azteca Guatemala for 2009, which will include:
1) The creation of a Vive Sin Drogas campaign in Guatemala to discourage
drug consumption and prevent addictions through effective mass media
campaigns, as well as through a central magna conference in Guatemala City,
and six regional "Sembrando Flores de Vida" conferences in major cities across
the nation. Vive sin Drogas has earned important international recognition for
its effectiveness, including The United Nations Vienna Civil Society Award.
2) The launch of the "Donativos Hormiga" program to support education
through the donation of computers to non-profit organizations that support
low-income Guatemalan children.
3) Create an active group of volunteers of Fundacion Azteca Guatemala
(including employees of Grupo Elektra, Banco Azteca, TV Azteca and society at
large).
4) The construction of a rural support program through the training of
midwives to support residents that do not have access to healthcare systems.
5) The donation of a green area called ParkElektra in the Department of
Jalapa for recreational use by Guatemalan families.
6) The first annual drawing competition Que Viva Tikal!
7) Support for the eradication of dengue, through special
motorcycle-mounted fumigation systems.
One of the primary objectives of Fundacion Azteca Guatemala is to create
consciousness about specific societal problems and seek solutions.
In Mexico, Fundacion Azteca has been active for over a decade, with a
strong record in transparent and efficient handling of important programs,
including:
Movimiento Azteca: A campaign of joint responsibility that generates
awareness and is open to the participation of organizations and individuals to
create specific concrete social and ecological projects. Thanks to in-kind and
cash donations of more than 4 million Mexicans, this campaign has raised over
US$ 55 million. Movimiento Azteca campaigns have directly benefitted more than
1 million Mexicans. They have helped to preserve 100 hectares of urban forest
in Mexico City, plant 300,000 trees in the foothills of the Iztla-Popo
volcanic region, conserve over 20,000 hectares of habitats for the grey whale,
and aid the birth of more than 5 million live sea turtles, among other
achievements.
Plantel Azteca: An educational institution that seeks to bring quality
education, with values and excellence, to low-income children with strong
academic performance. Plantel Azteca has to date over 5,000 graduates who
currently hold important positions in prestigious universities and companies
throughout the Americas and the world.
About Fundacion Azteca
Fundacion Azteca is the organization of Grupo Salinas that promotes
corporate, social and ecological responsibility, joining needs with
organizations and individuals willing to make commitments to create solutions.
For more information, visit http://www.fundacionazteca.com.
About Fundacion Azteca America and other international operations
Fundacion Azteca America is a non-profit organization dedicated to
improving the quality of life for members of the Hispanic community residing
in the United States. Fundacion Azteca America, Fundacion Azteca, Azteca
America and TV Azteca are companies of Mexican conglomerate Grupo Salinas. For
more information, visit http://www.fundacionaztecaamerica.org. Outside of
Mexico, Fundacion Azteca also operates in Peru
(http://www.fundacionaztecadelperu.org) and Guatemala .
About Grupo Salinas
Grupo Salinas (http://www.gruposalinas.com) is a group of dynamic,
fast-growing and technologically advanced companies focused on creating
shareholder value, contributing to building the middle class of the countries
where it operates, and improving society through excellence. Created by
Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas (http://www.ricardosalinas.com), Grupo
Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top
leaders of member companies TV Azteca (http://www.irtvazteca.com), Azteca
America (http://www.aztecaamerica.com), Grupo Elektra
(http://www.grupoelektra.com.mx), Banco Azteca
(http://www.bancoazteca.com.mx), Afore Azteca (http://www.aforeazteca.com.mx),
Seguros Azteca (http://www.segurosazteca.com.mx), and Grupo Iusacell
(http://www.iusacell.com). Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates
independently with its own management, board of directors and shareholders.
Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. However, member companies share a
common vision, values and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior
results and world-class performance.
For more information, visit http://www.gruposalinas.com

International Press Contact:
Daniel McCosh
52 55 1720 0059
dmccosh@gruposalinas.com

Source: Grupo Salinas, Fundacion Azteca, Fundacion Azteca America,
Fundacion Azteca del Peru, TV Azteca, Grupo Elektra, Azteca America and Grupo
Iusacell
SOURCE Grupo Salinas; Fundacion Azteca; Fundacion Azteca America

Daniel McCosh, Grupo Salinas, +011-5255-1720-0059, dmccosh@gruposalinas.com