Lloyd’s, the world’s leading specialist insurance market, announced today the official opening of its primary school in the Yunnan province of China.
The school, which was officially opened on Friday, 30 October, will provide educational facilities for 280 children across eight classes. The day to day running of the school is undertaken by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs who developed a scheme to raise funds for the people of the remote Province of Yunnan after the village of Jinping, Laomeng was devastated in November 2008 by a landslide caused by flooding. Buildings in the village were destroyed and families forced to relocate.
Lloyd’s donated £50,000 to build and equip the new school and playground. It is now raising funds to build a dormitory for pupils as many face a five hour journey to and from their homes every day to get to school.
On the occasion of the opening, MDM OU Boqian, Deputy Director General, General Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said:
“With the donation of Lloyd’s, we have a beautiful school here today and our students now have classrooms, furniture, a basketball court and a dining hall. Knowledge can change the destiny of human beings and I am hoping this school will ensure a bright future for the children of Jinping County. “
Lord Levene, Chairman of Lloyd’s, said: “Lloyd’s is delighted to be able to help build this school in conjunction with China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and enable these children to continue with their education. Our market has a long association with China and I hope this new school will help to forge a new relationship with a younger generation.”
Lloyd’s has a long history with China and received formal licence approval from the China’s Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) to open an onshore reinsurance company in Shanghai in April 2007. Before gaining permission to underwrite onshore reinsurance business, Lloyd’s had been providing offshore reinsurance to China for over three decades.
1. Lloyd’s Primary School is located in Laomeng Village in the Yunnan Province which borders Vietnam.
2. The construction of Lloyd’s School was started on April 20, 2008 and completed on August 25. 2009.
3. Currently there are five grades, one class each grade, with a total of 162 students including 40 resident students. There are 6 teachers and staff. Over time it is expected that the school will grow to include eight classes and 280 students.
4. The school occupies 3100 square meters with a classroom building containing 8 classrooms, a dining hall and a playground.
