On Tuesday 11 December, on the occasion of the world children’s day, Vodafone presented its programs, so as to inform and raise the public’s awareness, and to achieve maximum contribution in essentially improving children’s everyday lives. True to its philosophy, Vodafone has been consistently working to this end since 2002, in partnership with recognised bodies and foundations.
Since 2004, Vodafone has teamed up with Special Olympics, supporting all sporting activities, and helping create an environment nurturing the respect of diversity, and supporting the right of participation for all. To date, more than 10,000 athletes have taken part in the sporting events.
In 2005, working together with ELEPAP, the company set up “ELEPAP Radio” for children with motor disabilities. The radio station helps the young to communicate, acquire useful knowledge, entertain themselves and achieve smooth social integration. They are trained by professional reporters, sound engineers and radio show producers.
“Leto” is a mobile paediatrics and dental care unit created in collaboration with the “Medecins du Monde” that has been roving all over Greece since 2003, with priority on border areas with no hospital or medical centre. To date, the unit has examined more that 20,000 children.
Another partnership with the Medecins du Monde, has led to the creation of the “e-KIVOTOS” mobile unit, at the end of 2005. It is a consultation centre for adolescents with family, social or psychological problems. With the help of specialist staff and using technology, the young receive information on matters that concern them, through a specialist portal at www.e-kivotos.gr, containing detailed articles. 8,000 children have visited the unit since it started operating.
2003 saw the creation of the Guesthouse for children with cerebral palsy, in collaboration with Cerebral Palsy Greece, at their premises. The Guesthouse spans over 500 sq.m. and allows children to develop their social skills and participate in educational and recreational activities. To date, more than 941 children have stayed at the Guesthouse.
Since 2004, Vodafone has been implementing a road safety programme entitled “Moving About Safely”, in collaboration with the Hellenic Society for Social Paediatrics and Health Promotion and the Centre for Research and Prevention of Injuries of the Athens University Medical School. Kindergarten, primary school and junior high school pupils, learn how to properly behave on the road, through educational material and experiential activities, conducted by specialist teachers. Special sessions are held to inform parents and teachers on the matter. To date, 105,000 children and 5,000 adults have been informed on the proper road behaviour rules.
In 2005, in collaboration with S.O.S. Children’s Villages, we created Expression and Creative Workshops, at the Villages’ premises in Athens and Thessaloniki. Going deeper into the fields of literature, theatre, music, English and computers, children living in the villages and the greater community can expand their knowledge and interests. To date, more than 210 children have participated in the workshops.
In 2002, Vodafone launched, in collaboration with the Hatzipaterio Centre for the Rehabilitation of Spastic Children, a telemonitoring programme for children suffering from cerebral palsy. This innovative program links technology and medical science, providing children with cerebral palsy with the privilege of therapy, education, communication and social inclusion, thanks to daily monitoring.
Through its Corporate Responsibility programs, Vodafone embraces children and contributes to the improvement of their living conditions, especially those that are in great need of a smile.
For more information, please contact:
Ms Katerina Papakonstantinou, Corporate Communications Manager, tel. 210 6702166, mob. 6944 800070, fax 210 6702376 ,e-mail katerina.papakonstantinou@vodafone.com
Ms Christina Morfogeni, Senior Media Relations Coordinator, tel.210 6702365, mob. 6944 600955, e-mail christina.morfogeni@vodafone.com