Ghana: Project to Boost Girl-child School Enrollment, Completion
By Henry Neondo
An environmental group founded the late former USSR President, Mickail Gorbachev has partnered up with leading fashion and luxury goods groups, Armani in a project meant to promote access to safe drinking water for school going children in Ghana and hence enrolment and attendance.
Alexander Likhotal, President of Green Cross International said, “with better access to safe drinking water we aim to see high enrolment and completion of schooling , especially amongst girls”.
The Smart Water for Green Schools project in Ghana will build rainwater harvesting systems for schools, and maintain boreholes and wells to provide safe drinking water for the community.
“The cooperation between Green Cross International and Giorgio Armani is an innovative partnership model. This is not another ‘feel good’ campaign but a practical step to help make the Right to Water a reality. It is a pleasure to welcome Giorgio Armani as our partner on this important mission”, said Likhotal.
“Water is such a simple word, but like all simple words it has a profound significance because where there is safe water, there is life, energy, wellbeing, a serene encounter with nature, and a marvellous sense of freshness ” said Giorgio Armani.
Access to drinking water is the basis for everything. Yet safe drinking water is one of today’s key challenges.
One out of six people on the planet, one does not have sufficient access to safe drinking water.
Globally, diarrhoea is the leading cause of illness and death.
The Acqua for Life Challenge 2011 will support the expansion of Smart Water for Green Schools to more communities in Ghana where about 40 per cent of the rural population still lacks access to safe drinking water.
A comprehensive support and solidarity network has been devised around Acqua di Gio and Acqua di Gioia, two of Giorgio Armani’s fragrances.
As of 1 March 2011, every bottle sold will help provide access to drinking water for children and their communities.
The participants will then be invited, through a personal code indicated on the outer carton of the chosen fragrance, to extend their action online.