P&Gers Improving Lives

Another component of our Sustainability involves bringing our efforts to life in the communities where we live and work. A number of programs give our employees the opportunity to touch lives directly within their own regions through P&G’s Live, Learn and Thrive cause.

Dreaming Together for the Future: Supporting Handicapped Children in Korea

P&G supports handicapped children in Korea through a program known as “Dreaming Together for the Future.” The program, funded in part by P&G product purchases, is centered on enabling children in their self-development.

These programs are intended to bring children and teenagers access to vocational education for an otherwise unavailable path to independence. For instance, P&G employees help develop participants’ skills in areas ranging from baking to journalism.

To expand the children’s exposure to new and interesting experiences, P&G employees also lead programs to help handicapped children discover their hidden talents in areas such as art, music, and sports.

Since 2005, the program has touched the lives of over 2,000 handicapped children in Korea. Their growth and development is seen not only through demonstration of their new skills but also through the proud and confident smiles they wear on their faces.

Seeds of Passion: Helping Children in Poland Get a Better Start

The “Seeds of Passion” program focuses on children from economically and socially unprivileged areas of Targówek, Poland. It provides opportunities for them to develop their skills and passions and get a better start in adult life. These activities take place after school. In the past, this was when these children were vulnerable to taking on habits of alcoholism and drug abuse.

The program now reaches 650 children per year. Annually, more than 600 hours of educational activities and workshops are led by P&G volunteers and partner organizations. In fact, one of P&G’s volunteers has helped lead a team of disadvantaged children to win recognition in the annual youth kite making and flying competition.

The program has been so successful, it is being expanded to reach 50,000 children over the next two years throughout Poland.

A Friend is Worth a Million Dollars: Bringing Confidence to Children in Eastern Europe

In Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania, children in P&G-sponsored orphanages benefit from a program called “One Friend is Worth a Million Dollars.” As a platform for educational, cultural, and sport activities, 100% of P&G employees in the region participate to help prevent children from dropping out of school for a life on the streets. Building the children’s self-esteem and skills for life are essential for helping them achieve their goals.

This objective is achieved through common extracurricular education, sport, and cultural activities held with P&G employees. Activities range from planting pine trees to educational programs such as English lessons, sports lessons, and summer camp. The program reaches 145 children each year. In most cases, the interaction with P&G employees is one-on-one, fostering long-term productive relationships.

Success Camp: Helping Kids in Saudi Arabia Succeed

Success Camp, a P&G program in Saudi Arabia, helps build self-esteem and life skills among orphaned children by training them on such success factors as collaboration, knowledge, and discipline. In addition, P&G employees conduct science and technology training and workshops that open doors to never before considered career possibilities.

More than 1,500 children have benefited thus far. Not surprisingly, the success of the participants fosters pride among the many P&G employees who volunteer. This pride is contagious and helps attract more P&G volunteers who will benefit even more children and youth.

Eliminating Barriers: Supporting Physically Challenged Students in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, P&G helps provide equal access to education with its program “Eliminating Barriers.” Launched in conjunction with the start of Live, Learn and Thrive, the program aims to systemically remove the barriers that prevent disabled children from receiving an education—physical as well as psychological barriers.

P&G employees actively participate in renovation projects to eliminate architectural barriers that limit the access of physically challenged students into their schools through the construction of ramps and accessible bathrooms and classrooms. The program also works toward eliminating attitudinal barriers through trainings for teachers and administrative staff, helping to facilitate optimal attention for physically challenged children.

Approximately 16,000 children in elementary schools throughout the region have benefited from the program, and more than 600 P&G employees have donated over 2,500 hours of volunteer work to the Eliminating Barriers schools.

SOS Children’s Villages: Building Houses in Europe

The SOS Children’s Villages program provides safe housing for homeless children in Greece, Portugal, and Spain. P&G funding supports education and extracurricular activities, providing children a chance to grow academically, develop their talents, and build their future. P&G employees regularly visit the villages to serve as mentors to the children.