New York, Jun 6 (IANS): Coca-Cola and World Vision, a humanitarian organization, have joined hands to revitalise 100 rural and semi-urban schools in India under the internationally recognised "Support My School" campaign.
This partnership will provide basic amenities such as access to water, sanitation, playing fields, rainwater harvesting and other basic amenities to rural and semi-urban schools across India, the two organisations announced Tuesday at an event here to mark the World Environment Day.
Support My School is an ongoing partnership between Coca-Cola India, NDTV, UN-HABITAT, Charities Aid Foundation, Sulabh International, Tata Teleservices and Pearson Foundation to improve school infrastructure across India with a special focus on clean water and sanitation.
The Support My School campaign was initiated in January 2011 with a vision to revitalise rural and semi-urban schools by providing basic amenities to create healthy, active and happy environment at schools.
The campaign reached a critical milestone of 100 schools on June 1 and has already touched the lives of over 43,000 children across India.
The interventions made at these schools have helped reduce dropouts and absenteeism and also increase enrolments. With World Vision joining hands, the campaign aims to strengthen its resolve to reach more schools and impact thousands of children.
"This campaign is a unique mass movement that sensitises people and gives them an opportunity to make a difference by contributing towards the transformation of schools," said Cheryl Self, National Director of Global Corporate Partnerships at World Vision.
"Together with partners, Support My School is working towards developing healthy and active schools in India, one school, and one student, at a time," said Deepak Jolly, Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola India.
Consul for Economic affairs Sugandh Rajaram at the Indian consulate commended "this initiative which tries to effectively address one of the most important socio-economic issues confronting the world, especially the developing world, and needing urgent attention."