Two years ago, Stodir, Baugur Group and Fons, got involved in a charity project with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The project is aimed at helping the children of Guinea-Bissau, one of Africa's smallest nations located in the Western part of the continent. The project will reach out to thousands and thousands of children, providing them with an education and thereby a much more promising future.
Our initial involvement included the co-hosting of a charity gala dinner with "Agent 007, James Bond" Sir Roger Moore as guest of honour, an event which raised ISK 80 million. This was enough to cover 80% of the costs associated with buying and distributing special nets for every child in Guinea-Bissau to lie under.
Treated with insecticide, the nets prevent the deadly malaria-carrying mosquitoes from infecting the bloodstream while children sleep. Malaria is a critical health issue in the country and the use of these nets is considered the most effective form of prevention against Infection. Already, It Is estimated that the nets have saved the lives of 4,000 children.
Stodir has also made a significant contribution to the construction of 135 schools In Guinea-Bissau. These constructions and renovations include gender-seperate lavatory facilities and access to clean water. This project is also aimed at helping to train more than 1,400 teachers and provide educational material for 60,000 children
By introducing new educational opportunities we hope to increase considerably the chance of a better future for tens of thousands of children. Already, more than 13,000 youngsters have been offered schooling as a result. The project places special emphasis on getting more girls to enter the school system and encouraging a change in local people's attitudes concerning the education of women generally.
Last year we made an additional commitment to co-sponsor the UNICEF national office in Iceland for the next three years and to help promote "Red Nose Day" as UNICEF day in Iceland, using the opportunity to seek increasing support and understanding for children in need all over the world.
Stodir is contributing a total of ISK 57 million, as well as its time and expertise, to these vital and life-changing projects. It is working in conjunction with two other Icelandic companies on the initiatives, Baugur and Fons.