World Vision and Coca-Cola India partner to provide basic amenities in semi-urban and rural Schools in India

NEW YORK, June 5, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On the momentous occasion of World Environment Day, World Vision and The Coca-Cola India joined hands to revitalize 100 rural and semi-urban schools in India. This partnership will be within the framework of internationally recognized Support My School campaign and 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.  Support My School is an ongoing partnership between The 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 revitalize rural and semi-urban schools by providing basic amenities to create a healthy, active and happy environment at schools. The campaign on 1st June 2012 reached a critical milestone of 100 schools 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 enrollments. With World Vision joining hands, the campaign aims to strengthen its resolve to reach more schools and impact thousands of children. 

The need for a visionary program such as this is great. In India, fewer than half of all schools have a working toilet. Research shows that inadequate infrastructure, such as sanitation, accelerates the dropout rates, especially among girls in rural areas. Already in one campaign school, enrollment has jumped by nearly 40%. Clean water is a cornerstone of healthy communities and a healthy environment, which is why World Environment Day marks the launch of this new partnership. 

"World Vision is proud to join the Coca-Cola NDTV Support My School campaign," said Cheryl Self, National Director of Global Corporate Partnerships at World Vision.  "This campaign is a unique mass movement that sensitizes people and gives them an opportunity to make a difference by contributing towards the transformation of schools." 

"We are honored 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, one school, and one student, at a time," said Deepak Jolly, Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola India.

About Support My School:
NDTV in partnership with Coca-Cola India, launched the Support My School campaign in January 2011. This is a nationwide attempt to create awareness on water and sanitation, environment, healthy active living and providing a holistic environment in schools. We are supported in this initiative by Sachin Tendulkar, the campaign ambassador, Charities Aid Foundation India, UN-HABITAT, Sulabh International, Merck, H20 for Life, McDonalds, and Pearson Foundation as a Learning Partner, among many others. For more information about this unique campaign, please visit http://www.ndtv.com/micro/supportmyschool/. 

About The Coca-Cola India:
The Coca-Cola India has always placed high value on good citizenship. At the heart of business is a mission statement called the Coca-Cola Promise -- "The Coca-Cola India exists to benefit and refresh everyone that it touches." This basic proposition means – that the India's business should refresh the markets, protect, preserve and enhance the environment and strengthen the community. Coca-Cola India provides extensive support for community programs across the country, with a focus on education, health and water conservation. For further information on India's India operations and its products, please visit www.coca-colaindia.com. 

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. We serve the world's poor — regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, visit WorldVision.org/press or follow them on Twitter at @WorldVisionNews.

SOURCE World Vision U.S.