The Bata Children’s Program (BCP) is the company’s most significant community activity, focusing on helping children realise their potential, in partnership with local people and institutions. Since 2011, BCP has benefited more than 300 00 children where Bata is present.
Education
Access to education is not only a basic human right, but also a key factor in reducing poverty and child labour. The Bata Children’s Program strives to improve access to basic education, and quality of education, through activities ranging from school shoe donations, so students can meet uniform requirements, to volunteers refurbishing school buildings to ensure a safe and secure learning environment.
Health and safety
Poor health is both a cause and consequence of poverty, and poor health in childhood can have a lasting effect. Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot, at risk of injury and contracting soil-transmitted diseases and parasites. Donating shoes can be life-saving in developing countries. Volunteers regularly take part in community based polio vaccination and malaria prevention campaigns, and encourage children to maintain good health through the organisation of sports days and the distribution of sports shoes to underprivileged schools.
Respect for the planet
Volunteers have helped introduce underprivileged urban children to nature, and installed in them a respect for sustainable resource management through a range of activities including organic gardens, recycling campaigns, tree planting, and environmental awareness programs. Bata volunteers also support needy children in their own communities when faced with natural disasters
Mentoring and coaching
Through the program vulnerable young people are enabled to develop key job skills do work placement programs. Other initiatives include Bata’s children’s program volunteers spending time with orphans children as godparents, acting as role models, providing support and mentorship for the young adults.
Source: thebatacompany.com
