4th event report in a row, you may call me more of a reporter than a blogger. Even though I was determined to not to do an event report, this one was just have to be done because this time its an event report with a cause. A total eye opener and mind boggling event named as "SAVE A CHILD A MINUTE " that I got to cover over social media on 8th December, 2015, was something related to what I am (p.s I am a doctor FYI) and what is close to my heart (besides makeup).
About the Event:
On 8th December, 2015, Reckitt Benckiser & Plan International Pakistan arranged a launching ceremony of the" SAVE A CHILD A MINUTE" campaign. The event was scheduled in none other than SERENA HOTEL, Islamabad with the perfect ambiance according to the event.
Being one of its kind Project, many worthy speakers were there to elaborate the gravity of the subject that is ignored in our society. Diarrhea being one of the major cause of deaths in our unfortunately illiterate society needs to be addressed with utmost seriousness, for loosing 53000 children to this silent monster isn't something minor.
To further the working of the project and highlighting the major tasks under hand the speakers left
no stone unturned. Here are the extracts of few speakers at the event.
Representatives from the Government & Planning and Development commision were present at the launch event of the campaign.During the speech they stated:“This is a brilliant and innovative initiative towards eradicating diarrhoea and a stepping stone for public-private partnerships to improve health conditions and empower local communities. The best part is that it is in line with the government vision project 2025. Currently the government is collaborating for the pilot, it can further look into jointly upscaling the campaign at a national level.”
Rashid Javed, Country Director Plan International Pakistan with his remarks:“Based on our experience of Sanitation Marketing we are now moving forward to test a new model of women entrepreneurship. The model is based on helping communities to adopt improved hygiene behaviours and sustaining them through a sustainable supply chain. Establishing a system of supply and demand and linking it with women entrepreneur/Women hygienist is an idea which will ultimately help these women to earn their livelihood while helping their communities to promote health by adopting improved behaviours for water, sanitation and hygiene.”
Shahzeb Mehmood, CEO RB Pakistan highlighted the key points of the project, during his speech he stated: “RB has always aimed to provide healthier homes and happier lives through trusted brands such as Dettol, Mortein, Harpic and many more. This global initiative simultaneously being run in Pakistan, Nigeria and India seeks to eradicate diarrhoea and improve general health and hygiene of the low-income consumers by habit change. Through global research and technology, RB designed a low-cost antibacterial soap under the Dettol brand, a complete new formulation specifically for this purpose. The aim is to interactively educate consumers about health and hygiene, provide them with affordable health and sanitary solutions (by RB and other private companies such as Shan Foods, Searle, Peak Freans and Santex) and in the process empower local women who will sell these products door-to-door.”
Plan & Goals:
For the next 6 months, in the pilot phase of the campaign, RB and Plan will cover 600 households in Dhori, a village in Sargodha. Based on the learnings from this pilot, “Save a Child a Minute” will then be scaled up nationally by RB and Plan in close coordination with the federal and provincial government to support the Government’s Vision 2025 project.
About RB Pakistan:
RB is the world’s leading consumer health and hygiene company with operations in over 60 countries. With a purpose of delivering innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes. Today it is the global No. 1 or No. 2 in the majority of its fast-growing categories, driven exceptional innovation. Its health, hygiene and home portfolio is led by global Powerbrands including Dettol, Mortein, Harpic, Veet, Gaviscon and many more. RB is set to redefine the world of consumer health and hygiene with exceptional employees committing to highest quality standards.
Such initiatives are truly commendable as they lead to a better health conditions and a healthy nation. A nation can only survive through tough times when its youth is healthy and competitive. The SAVE A CHILD A MINUTE is one of its kind campaign ,which is based on the fact that educating the mothers is the sole way to fight the demon of diarrheal disease in neonates and children.
Hope you guys find this event report enlightening as well as see it as a ray of hope for our people who will be benefited from such an amazing task.
Stay Blessed
Sherry K
xoxo
