Samsung makes contribution to Vodafone social investment project in Tanzania
Samsung has contributed to a Vodafone social investment project in Tanzania which will improve the lives of tens of thousands of women living with a debilitating condition.
Every year in Tanzania up to 3,000 women develop obstetric fistula, a condition incurred during prolonged, obstructed labour which leads to incontinence. Up to 24,000 women in Tanzania go untreated - they are either not aware that a straightforward cure exists, or they cannot afford the cost of travel to the hospital for treatment. Women living with this condition are often entirely ostracised from their communities.
Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT), a locally registered NGO, uses Vodafone M-Pesa, a mobile money transfer system, to provide women with money for travel, allowing them access to free treatment for obstetric fistula.
The Vodafone Foundation identified the work of CCBRT as part of its ‘Mobile for Good’ programme which supports initiatives using mobile technology to drive positive social change. Money raised will help CCBRT treat 31,000 women by 2016 by:
- expanding and refurbishing the existing treatment facilities;
- building a brand new dedicated maternity hospital in Dar es Salaam; and
- embarking upon an extensive awareness and education programme.
Vodafone calls the project the ‘Moyo Challenge’ and employees around the world will spend ‘Moyo Week’ fundraising for CCBRT, with special activities planned for February 14th, Valentine’s Day. ‘Moyo’ is Swahili for ‘heart’.
Samsung were present when the Vodafone Foundation announced their support for the CCBRT. Guests at the event were able to use a Samsung Galaxy S2 smartphone pre-loaded with an augmented reality app to learn more about the project. Admiring Vodafone’s initiative for women in Tanzania, Samsung has committed to donate €500,000 towards the fundraising target of €8 million during ‘Moyo Week’.
Andrew Dunnett, director of the Vodafone Foundation said, “Mobile technology plays a vital role in the social and economic development of the world’s emerging markets. It is also able to address some of the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. The Vodafone Foundation is committed to using mobile for social change and to transform people’s lives.”
Erwin Telemans, chief executive officer of CCBRT said, “Vodafone’s pledge of support will prove to be a significant milestone in CCBRT’s evolution. We are thrilled by the progress against the fundraising target, and are very grateful for Samsung’s contribution. The coming years will see a change for women in Tanzania - we are on the road to making obstetric fistula here a thing of the past.”
Notes to Editors
- For more information on the work of the CCBRT visit http://www.vodafone.com/content/index/about/foundation/mobiles_for_good/ccbrt.html
About Vodafone
Vodafone is one of the world's largest mobile communications companies by revenue with approximately 398 million customers in its controlled and jointly controlled markets as at 31 December 2011. Vodafone currently has equity interests in over 30 countries across five continents and more than 40 partner networks worldwide. For more information, please visit www.vodafone.com
About Vodafone Foundation
The Vodafone Foundation and its unique network of 26 in country foundations invest in the communities in which Vodafone operates. The Foundations believe that mobile communications technologies can address some of the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges and our responsibility is to utilise our giving and our innovative mobile technology in mobilising social change and in improving people’s lives.
For further information
Vodafone Group Media Relations
groupmediarelations@vodafone.com
+44 (0) 1635 664444
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