In Honduras, we partnered with World Vision for a two-year program that aims to strengthen the quality of education provided to children while teaching them to work together and proactively improve the environment, health, sanitation, and safety of their schools and communities. In 2019, Gildan and World Vision strengthened this special partnership with a new investment of over USD $170,000 in order to implement the Education and Transformation of Children program for an additional year, reaching 1,200 schools and driving positive impacts for approximately 67,000 children and 5,200 teachers in the country
In February 2019, preschool and primary school children in Latin America were able to inaugurate the year with safer and better school environments thanks to Gildan, who invested more than USD $18,000 into projects aimed at improving school infrastructure.
At República de Venezuela, renovations included the installation of an expanded mesh serpentine and painting of the entire perimeter area. Alfonso Cortés, another school, underwent construction to install a storage area for the school cafeteria and renovate the ceilings of two classrooms, which were in poor condition. In addition to these improvements, the Company also delivered kits of school supplies to all the students.
Our Young Sustainability Leaders program harnesses various partnerships we have with organizations which aim to raise awareness about environmental issues. During 2019, we invested more than USD $186,000 into our Young Sustainability Leaders program: $170,000 in Honduras, and close to $17,000 in the Dominican Republic and Canada.
To expand the breadth of this program and impact more students, we renewed our Canadian partnerships with Learning for a Sustainable Future and with Earth Rangers for the 2019-2020 school year. Both organizations are working with children or young people to educate them on environmental issues and promote sustainable practices.
Gildan also sponsored the Eco-School program in the Dominican Republic. The Eco-School program is an international environmental certification granted to schools that develop initiatives to promote eco-educational projects. Following the framework set out by the Eco-School program, students, teachers, tutors, and parents of these schools assist with environmental initiatives and help make improvements in the school and across their community.
In 2019, Gildan partnered with Room to Read to support the Girls’ Education Program in Bangladesh. Through this partnership, Gildan contributed USD $50,000 and helped a total of 173 girls receive a customized program based on their needs and grade levels. Through this special program, girls receive life skills education, female mentorship, and material and academic support. The program also aims to foster family and community engagement around the importance of girls’ education.