ONE of Zimbabwe’s oldest companies, Unilever has partnered Danhiko Primary School in Harare to improve sanitation and hygiene infrastructure as the firm targets to provide clean toilets to 25 million people by 2030 across the world.
Speaking at the launch of the programme in Harare recently, Unilever managing director Tendai Takaindisa said the initiative was developed to enhance the lives of the disadvantaged learners.
She said results from the World Wide Toilet Day showed that people worldwide lack access to clean and functional toilets.
“Over the past week, our dedicated builders have worked tirelessly to ensure that the toilets are ready, and today, we are thrilled to unveil this new-look facility. As schools reopen in January, our learners will commence the year with improved and safer sanitation.” said Takaindisa.
“Shockingly, 2,4 billion people worldwide lack access to clean and functional toilets. More than half of this staggering population, about 1,2 billion people, resort to open defecation, exposing communities to a myriad of infectious diseases, including cholera.
“In developing countries, 443 million school days are missed each year due to illnesses caused by unsanitary latrines.”
The company, through its Domestos brand, was not only improving learners’ physical well-being, but also enhancing their educational performance and overall quality of life, the company MD said.
“Today, as we celebrate the positive impact made by Domestos, let us be reminded that small acts, when multiplied, can bring about substantial and lasting changes in our local communities,” she said.
- Unilever unveils WASH facilities at Danhiko
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Takaindisa applauded customers who choose their products.
“None of these achievements would be possible without the collaboration and support of our partners, the consumers who choose our Domestos products, and all the stakeholders who advocate for the work done by the brand,” she said.
Danhiko Project board member Dumisani Mtatiwa commended the initiative saying Unilever came at a critical time when schools were being called on to exercise hygiene to avoid cholera.
“We are all aware that the country is currently fighting a cholera outbreak in our communities, hence the need to exercise maximum hygienic standards in schools to avoid spreading the disease, which is deadly,” Mtatiwa said.
“I want to take this opportunity to assure Unilever that all efforts will be made to take proper care of the facilities hereby refurbished so that long-term benefits are realised.”
