Schindler is supporting the reconstruction of a kindergarten and a primary school which were wrecked by last year's earthquake in Sichuan province, China.

As a gesture of solidarity with local communities, Schindler has donated a total of $1 million for quake relief and reconstruction projects. The lion's share of the money will contribute to the cost of rebuilding a destroyed kindergarten and a rural primary school. Both were destroyed as a result of the quake.

Construction work on the kindergarten started in June 2009 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Located near a town called Dujiangyan, just 20 kilometres from Yingxiu Village - the center of the quake zone - it will have space for 300 children and 16 teachers. It is the only kindergarten in the area and will be named Schindler Daguan Village Kindergarten, in recognition of Schindler's contribution.

Schindler-donated funds are also to be used for a new classroom building at a primary school near Mianyang; Sichuan's second city. Once complete, the rebuilt school - to be called Schindler Lixin Central Primary School – will have 1800 pupils and 40 teachers. The pupils are currently having lessons in prefabricated classrooms.

As well as the two school projects, Schindler has set up the "Schindler Scholarship for the Wenchuan Earthquake" to help talented pupils, whose education was interrupted by the earthquake, to finish primary school. The company also provided funds for immediate relief after the earthquake struck on May 12, 2008. Schindler was the first western industrial company to set up a joint venture in China in 1980