Colgate announced today, in support of World Water Day, an extension of its partnership to drill water wells to provide clean and safe drinking water to Kenyan communities and extended an invitation to consumers to support the effort by purchasing Colgate products.
For the past 2 years, Colgate has supported 60 water wells at schools in 5 counties (Kisumu, Siaya, Kakamega, Migori and Kwale) working with WellBoring, a UK NGO.
The partnership has benefited approximately 60 000 lives. Due to the severity of the water challenge across rural communities, in 2021 Colgate aims to donate a further 30 Water Wells where thousands of pupils, their teachers, and their families may all gain access to clean drinking water.
Colgate has long supported schools in Kenya through its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures (BSBF) program.
Colgate’s BSBF program delivers oral health education as well as toothbrushes and toothpaste to millions of kids across the African continent. The BSBF program in Kenya started in 1968 and has reached well over 7 million kids in Kenya.
“The Colgate brand is in more homes than any other, so we can and we will create a healthier, more sustainable future for all. Creating access to clean water is critical to this mission." said Vijay Ameta, General Manager of Colgate-Palmolive East Africa Ltd.
Adding "We are delighted with our collaboration with Wellboring NGO and the opportunity to build these 30 boreholes, as a step towards providing pupils with clean and safe water, not only for their drinking but also for their learning environments and overall quality of life ”.
Adding “People in Kenya can make a donation through a purchase of any Colgate product at their nearest Naivas store; and via Mpesa on the WellBoring website (www.Wellboring.org/Colgate). All the donations will help towards drilling the 30 water wells”.
“Clean water for hundreds of school children and teachers, reduces water-borne diseases including cholera, dysentery and typhoid among children and increases the school enrolment as most children won’t spend their time scouting for water. We urge Kenyans to support the initiative as it not only, in the long run, reduces water-borne diseases but also helps in keeping the children in school.” explains Lucy Njoroge, WellBoring Project Engineer.
This water Initiative delivers on Colgate’s brand promise that everyone deserves a future they can smile about. The Campaign will run from 1 April 2021 to 31 May 2021. Consumers can visit Colgate-Palmolive Kenya Facebook page or Wellboring/Colgate.com for more information.
