World Vision and Coca-Cola team up to boost schools in India

Schools across India have received a major boost owing to a new partnership between World Vision and Coca-Cola India.

On World Environment Day last week, the Christian NGO and the beverage corporation joined hands to modernisze some 100 rural and semi-urban schools in India.

As part of the ‘Support My School’ campaign, the partnership will provide basic amenities such as access to water, sanitation, playing fields, and rainwater harvesting.

The campaign was first initiated in January 2011 and reached a critical milestone of 100 schools this month. It has already touched the lives of over 43,000 children across the country.

The campaign is supported by NDTV, UN-HABITAT, Charities Aid Foundation, and the Pearson Foundation.

It was started with a vision to revitalise rural and semi-urban schools by providing basic amenities to create a healthy and happy environment for students.

"World Vision is proud to join the campaign. It 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.

Research shows that inadequate infrastructure, such as sanitation, accelerates dropout rates in rural areas, especially among girls.

"We are honoured to be in this partnership with like-minded partners from civil society, private sector and concerned citizens of the world. Together with partners, Support My School is working towards developing healthy and active schools in India,” said Deepak Jolly, Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola India.