THE PHILIPPINES, AUGUST 3, 2012: If you had the chance to tell one story, what would it be about?
The latest Coca-Cola ‘Every Bottle Has A Story’ documentary-style commercial, which will be aired mid-August nationwide, features 13-year-old Jenny Sanchez, who belongs to the Aeta community. She dreams of going to college and becoming a teacher.
However, their present living conditions made it impossible for her to even go to elementary school. The Aetas are among the poorest of the indigenous communities throughout the Philippines. Aeta children also face severe disadvantages as their access to education is not only restricted by distance, but also by a shortage of school buildings, trained teachers, and basic school supplies. This problem, however, is not unique to Jenny. This is a problem that is shared by many children in remote rural communities throughout the Philippines.
This is why Coca-Cola Philippines, in partnership with the Philippines Department of Education and the Philippine Business for Social Progress, launched the Little Red Schoolhouse project in 1997. Since then Coca-Cola has built 275 classrooms at 93 schools nationwide, reaching nearly 60,000 schoolchildren and more than 3,100 teachers.
The project also provides training for teachers, particularly on classroom management techniques for multi-grade environments.
Furthermore, the project provides storybooks and a special reading program in partnership with Sa Aklat Sisikat (SAS) Foundation, to encourage the love and habit of reading among the students. Parent-Teacher-Community Associations (PTCA) are also organized to provide support to the teachers, particularly in keeping the children in school and maintaining the school infrastructure.
“Education is one of the ts that one can give a community that will surely create positive change and ensure a better future for all,” said Cecile Alcantara, president of the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines. “This year, the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines is on track to complete and turn over its 100th Little Red Schoolhouse as Coca-Cola celebrates its 100th annversary in the Philippines. We are proud to work side by side with teachers and paretns to make these schools successful.”
Guillermo Aponte, president and general manager of Coca-Cola Philippines said that this is just a small way of saying ‘thank you’ for the Philippines’ support in the past 100 years.
To commemorate its 100th year in the Philippines, Coca-Cola will contruct its 100th Little Red Schoolhouse in Negros Oriental by the end of 2012. This is one of several transformational programs that the company has accelerated this year as a gesture of gratitude to the Philippine people for making Coca-Cola part of their lives for the last 100 years.
“Filipinos have opened their hearts and homes to Coca-Cola over the last 100 years. We are committed even more to winning your respect every day for the next 100 years,” Aponte said.
