PHNOM PENH – Prudential Cambodia and Plan International today donated 237 pedal operated handwash stations to schools in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang, Kratie, Kampot and Stung Treng to make the school environment safer for children. The donation ceremony was presided over by H.E. Dr. HANG Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport.
Plan International, one of the world’s leading development and humanitarian organizations that advances children’s rights and equality for girls, will conduct a complete handover of pedal operated handwashing stations to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport across six provinces between March and April 2022. Such programs have demonstrated measurable results in other countries over the years and stand to bolster Cambodia’s pandemic resiliency.
His Excellency Dr. Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports said, “New normal education requires schools to maintain high quality sanitation standards and hygiene. So I think that support from Prudential and Plan International is crucial for us to continue to open schools”.
“This collaboration among the Ministry of Education Youth and Sport, Prudential and Plan International Cambodia will help children, especially girls, resume their learning in a safe school environment. It will enable 32,008 girls and 31,192 boys from 168 primary schools to practice improved hand hygiene in schools for prevention and mitigation of COVID-19. The initiative is part of Plan International Cambodia’s mission – partnering to empower 2.5 million girls, especially adolescent girls and young women, in Cambodia from 2021 to 2026. On behalf of the students from all the target schools, I would like to express our gratitude to Prudential for this great partnership to keep children safe,” said Gwynneth Wong, Country Director of Plan International Cambodia.
“Education is fundamental to preparing our children for society’s future growth and development. We are honored to be able to support the Ministry in helping Cambodia’s children continue their education safely and securely across Cambodia through this collaboration with Plan International” said Mr. Sanjay Chakrabarty, Chief Executive Officer, Prudential Cambodia.
The funds for the pedal operated handwashing stations are provided under the Prudential plc COVID-19 Relief Fund, a joint fund set up by Prudential plc and Prudence Foundation, which aims to support the most vulnerable communities in Asia and Africa in their ongoing COVID-19 relief efforts.
ABOUT PLAN INTERNATIONAL
Plan International Cambodia is a development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We strive for a just world by working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners. With over 80 years of experience across the world, Plan International’s programmes aim to support girls and boys to Learn, Lead, Decide and Thrive and began our operations in Cambodia in 2002. This year, 2022, is Plan International Cambodia’s 20th Anniversary in the Kingdom.
Last October 2021, Plan International Cambodia launched its fourth 5-year Country Strategy, 2.5 Million Reasons 2021-2026 with an ambition, in the next 5 years, to strategically partner to empower 2.5 million adolescent girls and young women in Cambodia under four Strategic Programmes: (1) Healthy Start – integrating Nutrition, Early Child Care and Development (ECCD) and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) to ensure that girls and boys have a fair start in life and can make free and informed choices about their bodies; (2) Protection Plus – addressing OCSE, LGBTIQ, CEFM, Children Left Behind including cross-border programming to keeping children, especially the girls, and young people safe; (3) Lifelong Learning – focusing on IQE, skill development and life skills including ASRHR to ensure that children, especially the girls, and young women gain the knowledge, skills and confidence they need in order to realise their rights and reach their full potential; (4) Girl's Leadership – Empowerment and Leadership, Active citizenship and civic participation, ensuring girls and young women have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed. Climate Change, resilience and environmental sustainability will become part of every project helping, protecting, and engaging children, especially the girls, and young people to reduce disaster risks, resilience and recover from disaster.
ABOUT PRUDENTIAL
Prudential (Cambodia) Life Assurance PLC (Prudential Cambodia) began operations in January 2013. By providing tailored life insurance solutions to individuals and families and conducting insurance seminars for the public, Prudential Cambodia helps Cambodians protect and secure their financial futures. Prudential Cambodia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential plc*.
Prudential plc provides life and health insurance and asset management, with a focus on Asia and Africa. The business helps people get the most out of life, by making healthcare affordable and accessible and by promoting financial inclusion. Prudential protects people’s wealth, helps them grow their assets, and empowers them to save for their goals. The business has more than 17 million life customers in Asia and Africa and is listed on stock exchanges in London, Hong Kong, Singapore and New York.
Prudential plc is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc., a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America or with The Prudential Assurance Company Limited, a subsidiary of M&G plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom.
ABOUT PRUDENCE FOUNDATION
Prudence Foundation is the community investment arm of Prudential in Asia and Africa. Its mission is to secure the future of communities by enhancing education, health and safety. The Foundation runs regional programmes as well as local programmes in partnership with NGOs, governments and the private sector in order to maximize the impact of its efforts. Prudence Foundation leverages Prudential’s long-term mindset and geographical scale to make communities safer, more secure and more resilient. The Foundation is a Hong Kong registered charitable entity.
For more information please visit: www.prudencefoundation.com