ChevronTexaco Western Venezuela Community Program

True commitment of ChevronTexaco in Western Venezuela supporting social investment projects in the areas of priority needs, translates into the continued welcome to its operations by the commuity of La Cañada in Zulia state. History and Current Pressence ChevronTexaco has long ties with Western Venezuela. Chevron discovered the Boscan field in 1947 and operated until 1975. Chevron began operating the field again in 1996 and in 1998 was awarded operatorship of the LL652 Block in Lake Maracaibo. Both projects are run out of Maracaibo, Zulia. In addition, ChevronTexaco operates over 100 gasoline stations and associated facilities in W. Venezuela. Strong Management Support A commitment to being as good partner and benefiting the communities where we work are core values to ChevronTexaco. Values guide actions, but actions require a vision, planning, money, teamwork and most of all leadership. From a starting philosophy of "We have come back to Western Venezuela to Stay", and guided by the corporate values, a community program was initiated. The strategy was to benefit the needy, to be pragmatic and to be sustainable. The decision was taken to invest $ 1 million dollars per year in community projects. The key position taken was that ChevronTexaco would provide the money, the resources and the support to build facilities and infrastructure, but that we were not going to get involved in the ongoing operation of any facility. This obviously required the building of partnerships with serious, capable organizations, such as the Rotary Club Marcaibo and La Cañada Municipality, among others, which would ensure the long term success of any facility. Main Contributions These partnerships, with non profit organizations and regional and local governments have delivered since 1996:Eleven schools in four Municipalities which benefit around 5,000 students.Four Orphanages serving children from newborn to 18 years of age.Domestic Gas Distribution System serving over 25,000 rural homes.Six Water Wells and Five Water Tanks for rural communities bringing potable water to over 1,000 people.The first Medical and Dental Clinic for a community of 5,000 people.Reconstructive surgery for cleft lip, palate and other facial deformities.Active support to the Foundation Friends of Children with Cancer.Construction of a visitors atrium for the Museum of Contemporary Art of Zulia. In 2003 the main projects were:The construction of first High School, in the Boscan area, to serve 1,000 pupils.Construction of computer rooms in three local schools that benefits over 1.500 students.Ist Regional Reconstructive Surgery program for cleft lip, palate and other deformities. Conclusions Over 6,000 students now receive an education opportunity previously denied to them. Over 300 orphans now live in a caring environment. By far the most rewarding aspect of this program has been the opportunity to change the quality of life for so many children. Sustainable development is sometimes a hard concept to define within the extractive oil company. ChevronTexaco in Western Venezuela have provided one example of what the definition looks like. Aknowledgement The author would like to thank the involvement of many ChevronTexaco employees, the Rotary Club Maracaibo and La Cañada Municipality, who have participated as volunteers and key drivers supporting the successful outcome of the Community Program. With special appreciation to Brigitte and Joe Wright who have provided the vision, leadership and support for all the community projects.