UNICEF, the Municipality of Quillacollo and the Coca-Cola Foundation initiated Child Friendly School Project
Quillacollo – May 20th 2008. – UNICEF, together with the Quillacollo Municipal Government and the Coca-Cola Foundation, started up a new child friendly school project today, with an official opening ceremony at the Quillacollo Indoor Coliseum. The Mayor of Quillacollo, Hugo Miguel, thanked Coca-Cola and UNICEF for their initiative in contributing to the education of the municipality’s children. Hernán Lanzara, the Coca-Cola Foundation Director for the Andean Region, stated that “the Coca-Cola Foundation has chosen to support education, because this is the best way to bring about deep, real change that will be sustainable over time. Here in Quillacollo, girls and boys will be play a leading role in making their own achievements.” The child-friendly school will benefit 5,176 children, and 257 teachers from eleven schools within Quillacollo’s three education networks. The project will last for two years. Project funding has come from the Coca-Cola Foundation, UNICEF and the Municipality of Quillacollo. During the two years of the project UNICEF and the Foundation will contribute USD 180 thousand. This year the Municipality of Quillacollo will contribute USD 105,453.61 to build water and sanitation systems.
A Child-friendly School is an educational arena that promotes child and adolescent rights. It is based on the carrying out of actions that integrate students, teachers, parents, neighborhood leaders and municipal authorities so that schools can be made into places that are pleasant, healthy and safe, and that encourage learning. “Our purposes have been fully understood and shared by the Coca Cola Foundation, whose contribution – seen as a world leader in Business for Social Responsibility, and especially in Bolivia – will ensure that the schools of Quillacollo have the resources to develop and expand their educational activities,” stated UNICEF Representative Gordon Jonathan Lewis during the event. The schools that will be participating in the project are the following: Arturo Quitón, 21 de Septiembre, Mlivoy Eterovic, Félix Martínez, René Crespo, Cochabamba, Félix Martínez, Oscar Alfaro, Franklin Ayana, Molle Molle and Pocpocollo. Teacher training will be the focus of investment, as will awareness raising and communication within the education community. Computer labs will be donated, and internet services will be installed and maintained, along with school libraries, potable water and school sanitation. School health insurance will be made available and coverage will include delousing/de-worming and fluoride treatment. UNICEF –Coca-Cola Foundation Alliance UNICEF and the Coca-Cola Foundation joined forces in 2005 to plan the actions that make up today’s Child-friendly School focus. Their first joint action took place in the city of El Alto, benefiting six thousand boys and girls in 12 schools in the Río Seco district.
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