World Vision, Coca-Cola partnership to help rural schools

School infrastructure across India will receive a major boost owing to a new partnership between World Vision and The Coca-Cola India.

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

As part of the internationally recognized 'Support My School' campaign, the partnership will provide basic amenities such as access to water, sanitation, playing fields, rainwater harvesting, among others.

The Support My School campaign was first initiated in January 2011. The campaign on June 1, 2012 reached a critical milestone of 100 schools and has already touched the lives of over 43,000 children across the country.

The campaign is currently supported by The Coca-Cola India, NDTV, UN-HABITAT, Charities Aid Foundation, Sulabh International, Tata Teleservices and Pearson Foundation.

It was started with a vision to revitalize 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 sensitizes 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 the dropout rates, especially among girls in rural areas.

"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," said Deepak Jolly, Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola India.