Atlanta, Feb. 11, 2009

 

 

Orange Business Services announced that on Feb. 17 more than 200 employees from across North America, including many from the company’s Atlanta headquarters, will volunteer their time, expertise and creativity to help upgrade facilities at the International Community School, a charter school in Decatur, Georgia. Projects will include reengineering the computer lab, painting classrooms, building bookcases, painting murals, and creating a learning garden and mini soccer field.

 

The International Community School represents a true melting pot of education, with refugee, immigrant and native-born children learning under one roof. The combined student and faculty population comes from more than 35 countries, representing 20 different language groups, with nearly half of the students hailing from countries such as Bosnia, Myanmar (Burma), Burundi, Iraq and Cuba. The school serves kindergarten through sixth grade students.

 

Orange has a history of embracing philanthropy. The company’s philanthropic policy has largely focused on three global themes: disability, education and culture. One specific area the company supports is the education of children from developing countries.

 

“With privilege comes responsibility, and we are indeed privileged," said Diana Leonard, senior vice president, Americas, Orange Business Services, who has worked on various initiatives related to Africa, including a hospital in Cameroon and an AIDS/HIV treatment center in Kenya.

 

“During lean economic times, it’s more important than ever to give back to the community. We were eager to help, not only because this project will enhance the educational experience of the students, but because the diverse spirit of the International Community School echoes the global nature of our company: one that encourages a respectful environment and global perspective.”

 

“One way to ensure that our students thrive is to place them in an environment that promotes creativity and camaraderie,” said Dr. Laurent Ditmann, principal, International Community School. “With this in mind, we’re thrilled to welcome Orange Business Services as they take time out of their busy schedule to help us improve some of the facilities at the International Community School.”

 

 

The International Community School (ICS), a charter school located in DeKalb County, Georgia, was strategically designed to bring together refugee, immigrant and native-born children in an academically challenging and nurturing environment.

 

In the last ten years, thousands of refugee children have come to DeKalb County, bringing not only gifts and talents but also the deep physical and spiritual wounds of war. Today the county is home to the highest percentage of refugees in the southeastern United States.

 

ICS began operation during the 2002-2003 school year and has grown to be one of the most successful charter schools in the state, with approximately 400 students enrolled for the fall of 2008.

 

 

Orange is the key brand of France Telecom, one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators. France Telecom serves more than 177 million customers in five continents as of September 30, 2008, of which two-thirds are Orange customers. The Group had consolidated sales of 52.9 billion euros in 2007 and 39.9 billion euros for the nine first months of 2008. As of September 30, 2008, the Group had 117.6 million mobile customers and 12.4 million broadband Internet (ADSL) customers.

 

Launched in June 2005, the NExT program (New Experience in Telecommunications) will enable the Group to pursue its transformation as an integrated operator and make France Telecom the benchmark for new telecommunications services in Europe. In 2006, Orange became the Group's single brand for Internet, television and mobile services in the majority of countries where the company operates, and Orange Business Services the banner for services offered to businesses worldwide. France Telecom is the number three mobile operator and the number one provider of broadband Internet services in Europe and one of the world leaders in providing telecommunication services to multinational companies.

 

France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on Euronext Paris (compartiment A) and on the New York Stock Exchange.