Ford India unveils Roadmap for its Happy Schools Program; aims to become an enabler for improving access to holistic education, Aligned with Ford India’s priority on education, the Happy Schools program to focus on addressing gaps in several primary schools around the areas of its operations in the initial phase
India CSR News Network
JAIPUR: Going further in its commitment to lay foundations for a Better World, Ford India announced a roadmap for its ‘Happy Schools’ program — an initiative aimed to democratize access to holistic education — at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival 2014
Ford has partnered one of South Asia’s most influential literary platforms – Jaipur Literature Festival – with a vision to engage with influential thought leaders and drive conversations on empowering communities.
As the exclusive sponsor of SAMVAD, a dedicated space for children at Jaipur Literature Festival, Ford aims to empower and inspire the future generations of India through dialogues with renowned thinkers and top-achievers from diverse domains
The Happy Schools program is Ford India’s attempt to create enablers for improving access to holistic education in primary schools by addressing gaps in academic support, health and nutrition. The vision was announced at a special session of Ford SAMVAD titled ‘Bridging the Gap’ that was attended by well-renowned contemporary dancer Astad Deboo.
“Through our support of a dedicated venue for children at the Jaipur Literature Festival, we hope to inspire, educate and empower children to realize their potential. Education and literacy are the foundations for future success and we are thrilled to be working with such a renowned event,” said Vinay Piparsania, executive director, Marketing, Sales and Service at Ford India.
Ford will partner reputed NGOs working in the field of education to collectively conceptualize and design a social intervention model that will address the identified gaps. The expertise of the partners in related areas will work towards ensuring the sustainability and management of the program.
In the initial phase, a pilot model will be created and implemented in select Govt. primary schools in close proximity to Ford’s areas of operations — Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Haryana.
“Henry Ford once said that the business that makes nothing but money is a poor business. We at Ford abide by this philosophy. Ford’s participation at Jaipur Literature Festival is a manifestation of Henry Ford’s philosophy and is our attempt to work towards a Better World while designing Great Products backed by a Strong Business,” Vinay Piparsania added.
With unwavering commitment to the country and its people, Ford’s community outreach initiatives are a reflection of the company’s ‘Go Further’ journey in India — ensuring development through various volunteer-led engagement and involvement programs.
Ford India has undertaken several projects in the spheres of education, health and sustainability, to empower communities in and around its areas of operations. The company recently launched the first phase of its cohesive community outreach initiative in Sanand, Gujarat to improve access to safe drinking water for close to 1500 children. Ford India has also reached out to more than 10,000 people within a short span of four years to highlight the importance of safe and responsible driving.
Besides this, Ford employees are also encouraged to engage in various initiatives during the annual Global Week of Caring (GWC) that is held in September every year. During GWC 2013 alone, volunteers across Ford in India spent more than 10,000 man hours, in various community outreach initiatives. The positive impact created amongst beneficiaries in the first year has encouraged Ford to increase support for current and new projects.
