Groupon aids WFP girls' empowerment

From March 25 to April 5, Groupon called on the general public to help provide a child with WFP school meals for two weeks, with 100 per cent of the donations going directly to WFP’s School Meals Programmes, implemented in 14 Asian countries, including five in Southeast Asia.

 

Poverty and tradition often exclude girls from education, and more than 36 million primary school-aged girls around the world do not attend school. Combating hunger among children helps to improve school performance, close the gender gap in schools and empower girls by increasing their chances to have a brighter future, said the organisers of the initiative. 

 

One nutritious meal a day promotes regular attendance, as a poor family needs to provide one less meal per day for their children, and also offsets the cost of education. 

 

The WFP seeks to increase the percentage of girls going to school through targeted interventions, such as take-home rations, which are given to girls in return for regular school attendance and which benefit the entire family.

 

"We appreciate Groupon’s continuing commitment to fighting hunger in Asia, as well as the dedication of individuals across the region who support this partnership," said Jay Aldous, WFP director of Private Sector Partnerships. "For many girls in poor communities, a school meal is the only food they will eat all day. Together with take-home rations, these meals act as a powerful investment in girls’ futures."

 

Commenting on the campaign, Trip Wagoner, president and managing director of Groupon Thailand, said: "We are proud to be part of this worthy cause, which empowers girls and fights hunger in Asia. Our commitment to providing our subscribers with amazing life experiences goes beyond simply providing outstanding deals daily, but also to providing chances for them to make a difference in the lives of others. 

 

"As we grow our support to the World Food Programme, not only are we fighting hunger, we are investing in Asia’s future."