Planting trees and changing hearts

Even simple actions can have a lasting impact for future generations. Soranlli and Vladimir manage large-scale forestation projects for Fresenius Kabi in the Dominican Republic.

(Published: January 2023)

The company has been organizing a reforestation day activity for nearly two decades. Over the last 19 years, the team from Fresenius Kabi’s plant in Haina has planted more than 14,000 trees. That has changed the region’s landscape.

“And not only the landscape, but also the hearts and minds of all the employees and their families involved in these activities,” said Soranlli, Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) Principal Engineer at the plant.  

This time, the work was especially challenging and difficult because the assigned location for reforestation was a former landfill site scattered with large amounts of debris. Yet the employees still looked forward to it, just as they always do, said Soranlli. “Not only do they get to contribute to the environment, but they also get to spend time outdoors with their children. Since most of them live in cities, they get to appreciate nature’s beauty.”

The company’s corporate mission is “caring for life,” and Vladimir, EHS & Security Manager at the plant, said: “We at Fresenius Kabi truly believe that caring for the environment is also caring for life.” 

“Year after year, the level of motivation, commitment, and consciousness toward the environment increases exponentially among our participants and their children,” Vladimir said. “These children are given the opportunity to experience and appreciate nature first-hand, and build their own future. A future full of beautiful greenery, clean air and flowing rivers.”

Organizing the reforestation day always presents some challenges, but putting it together during the crushing COVID-19 pandemic magnified them. Fresenius Kabi was the only company in the Haina industrial park, located just outside the country’s capital city of Santo Domingo, to participate. In 2021, Fresenius Kabi was recognized by President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic as a Resilient Export Company amid the pandemic. 

The products manufactured by Fresenius Kabi in Haina are used worldwide by healthcare professionals who are caring for chronically and critically ill patients. In addition to the award for ensuring the constant supply of these lifesaving products, Fresenius Kabi in Haina has also been recognized for promoting social responsibility activities.

From planting trees to cleaning beaches, to cancer awareness campaigns and the support of local communities: Fresenius Kabi and its employees in Haina are truly “caring for life” at work and in the community as well.