Hyosung Group, one of the biggest conglomerates in the country, has been working to ensure that children share some of the benefits of its business.

“We are trying to build an environment where disabled children can dream about their future and make those dreams come true,” said Cho Hyun-sang, head of Hyosung Industrial Materials PG.

He added that the company wanted to go beyond fulfilling corporate social responsibilities to create a new social ecosystem supporting the idea of “sharing and caring.”

To set an example, Cho and about 30 company employees on April 18 visited the Yongnak Aenea House in Huam-dong, Seoul, and held entertainment programs including “zigzag rallies” and quiz shows with disabled children there.

The company has been holding programs like this on a regular basis since 2012. In August 2013, it held a classical music concert at the care home to help children experience music.

In May 2013, staff members and company executives launched Hyosung Nanum Bongsadan to help disabled children at four care facilities nearby.

The signature Matching Grant has been popular, too. The program, initiated in 2007, encourages staff to donate a portion of their salaries to charity. Then the company matches that donation, doubling the amount given.

Hyosung Junior Engineering Program

The Hyosung Junior Engineering Program has been popular with elementary school students who are interested in science.

On April 21 about 150 students from Naedong Elementary school in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, where a Hyosung plant is located, were invited to examine science theories and see them in action.

Eight researchers from Hyosung Power and Industrial Systems Performance Group helped the students make their own metal detectors and taught them about energy storage systems using a flywheel.

The science program has been held twice a year since 2004 and has involved more than 2,000 students.

Hyosung has also been holding classes to reduce school crime with a total of 5,000 elementary school students in South Gyeongsang Province.

It also has been encouraging local students, their parents and teachers to run book clubs and other after-school activities.

“We believe that education can be a good contribution to society,” a Hyosung spokesperson said.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)