Fundacion Azteca Guatemala Launches to Support Health, Education, the Economy and the Environment

Fundacion Azteca Guatemala Launches to Support Health, Education, the Economy and the Environment

Grupo Salinas is Committed to Guatemala

Fundacion Azteca Guatemala Joins Forces with Guatemalan Civil Society and Public Sector to Help Those Most in Need

GUATEMALA CITY, June 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Grupo Salinas, founded by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego, through Guatemala-based subsidiaries of Grupo Elektra, Banco Azteca and Television Azteca formalizes this week its commitment to aid those most in need with the launch of Fundacion Azteca Guatemala.

Fundacion Azteca was founded in Mexico as a non-profit organization over a decade ago as a strong promoter of socially responsible companies, bridging the gap between societal needs and organizations that are committed to social and environmental issues. Today, the successful model of Fundacion Azteca will serve as the foundation for Fundacion Azteca Guatemala, joining efforts by Guatemala's civil society and public sector to improve health, education, development and ecology.

The primary mission of Fundacion Azteca Guatemala is to support the most vulnerable groups of society and improve living conditions and ecology in the country.

Rodrigo Sawaya, as President of Fundacion Azteca Guatemala, and Carlos Bukantz Garza, as Vice President, will head up the working plan of Fundacion Azteca Guatemala for 2009, which will include:

1) The creation of a Vive Sin Drogas campaign in Guatemala to discourage drug consumption and prevent addictions through effective mass media campaigns, as well as through a central magna conference in Guatemala City, and six regional "Sembrando Flores de Vida" conferences in major cities across the nation. Vive sin Drogas has earned important international recognition for its effectiveness, including The United Nations Vienna Civil Society Award.

2) The launch of the "Donativos Hormiga" program to support education through the donation of computers to non-profit organizations that support low-income Guatemalan children.

3) Create an active group of volunteers of Fundacion Azteca Guatemala (including employees of Grupo Elektra, Banco Azteca, TV Azteca and society at large).

4) The construction of a rural support program through the training of midwives to support residents that do not have access to healthcare systems.

5) The donation of a green area called ParkElektra in the Department of Jalapa for recreational use by Guatemalan families.

6) The first annual drawing competition Que Viva Tikal!

7) Support for the eradication of dengue, through special motorcycle-mounted fumigation systems.

One of the primary objectives of Fundacion Azteca Guatemala is to create consciousness about specific societal problems and seek solutions.

In Mexico, Fundacion Azteca has been active for over a decade, with a strong record in transparent and efficient handling of important programs, including:

Movimiento Azteca: A campaign of joint responsibility that generates awareness and is open to the participation of organizations and individuals to create specific concrete social and ecological projects. Thanks to in-kind and cash donations of more than 4 million Mexicans, this campaign has raised over US$ 55 million. Movimiento Azteca campaigns have directly benefitted more than 1 million Mexicans. They have helped to preserve 100 hectares of urban forest in Mexico City, plant 300,000 trees in the foothills of the Iztla-Popo volcanic region, conserve over 20,000 hectares of habitats for the grey whale, and aid the birth of more than 5 million live sea turtles, among other achievements.

Plantel Azteca: An educational institution that seeks to bring quality education, with values and excellence, to low-income children with strong academic performance. Plantel Azteca has to date over 5,000 graduates who currently hold important positions in prestigious universities and companies throughout the Americas and the world.

About Fundacion Azteca

Fundacion Azteca is the organization of Grupo Salinas that promotes corporate, social and ecological responsibility, joining needs with organizations and individuals willing to make commitments to create solutions. For more information, visit http://www.fundacionazteca.com/.

About Fundacion Azteca America and other international operations

Fundacion Azteca America is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for members of the Hispanic community residing in the United States. Fundacion Azteca America, Fundacion Azteca, Azteca America and TV Azteca are companies of Mexican conglomerate Grupo Salinas. For more information, visit http://www.fundacionaztecaamerica.org/. Outside of Mexico, Fundacion Azteca also operates in Peru (http://www.fundacionaztecadelperu.org/) and Guatemala .

About Grupo Salinas

Grupo Salinas (http://www.gruposalinas.com/) is a group of dynamic, fast-growing and technologically advanced companies focused on creating shareholder value, contributing to building the middle class of the countries where it operates, and improving society through excellence. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas (http://www.ricardosalinas.com/), Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies TV Azteca (http://www.irtvazteca.com/), Azteca America (http://www.aztecaamerica.com/), Grupo Elektra (http://www.grupoelektra.com.mx/), Banco Azteca (http://www.bancoazteca.com.mx/), Afore Azteca (http://www.aforeazteca.com.mx/), Seguros Azteca (http://www.segurosazteca.com.mx/), and Grupo Iusacell (http://www.iusacell.com/). Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently with its own management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. However, member companies share a common vision, values and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results and world-class performance.

For more information, visit http://www.gruposalinas.com/

International Press Contact:
Daniel McCosh
52 55 1720 0059
dmccosh@gruposalinas.com

Source: Grupo Salinas, Fundacion Azteca, Fundacion Azteca America, Fundacion Azteca del Peru, TV Azteca, Grupo Elektra, Azteca America and Grupo Iusacell

Source: Grupo Salinas; Fundacion Azteca; Fundacion Azteca America

CONTACT: Daniel McCosh, Grupo Salinas, +011-5255-1720-0059,
dmccosh@gruposalinas.com

Web site: http://www.aztecaamerica.com/
http://www.gruposalinas.com/
http://www.grupoelektra.com.mx/

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