Oct 15 2009
Banro Corporation ("Banro" or the "Company") (NYSE AMEX - "BAA"; TSX - "BAA") is pleased to report that the Banro Foundation, a registered charity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (the "DRC"), has officially handed over to the community of Saramabila and the Kambambere territory in the DRC the new Saramabila Institute secondary school.
The project was financed and built by the Banro Foundation using local contractors and labour. Saramabila is located near Banro's Namoya gold exploration and development project.
The handover of the project took place in an official ceremony in Saramabila on Saturday October 3, 2009 and was attended by almost 1,000 local villagers and school children. Among the local leaders in attendance were the Territorial Administrator for Kambambere, provincial educational officials and several tribal chiefs. A large delegation of Banro employees was led by Company Vice President of Corporate Development, Martin Jones.
With the handover of the Saramabila Institute, which is designed to serve 300 students, and the expected completion in November 2009 of the new Kigumo Health Centre near the Company's Lugushwa project, the Banro Foundation will have completed an ambitious cycle of major social infrastructure projects begun in 2008 that includes two new high schools, a potable water delivery system serving 18,000 people in four villages, a new health care centre, the construction or re-construction of over 100 kilometres of roads and bridges and the distribution of medical equipment from Canada to seven regional hospitals and clinics. The Banro Foundation will now work with local community leaders at its three active project sites to determine the next cycle of community projects.
Source: http://www.banro.com/s/Home.asp