Woodland-UNICEF bond penetrates deeper into Odisha hinterlands

Leading outdoor gear brand Woodland, which marked its fifth year of support to UNICEF's WASH - Water, Sanitation and Hygiene - programme running across schools, has spread the projects to more remote areas in Odisha adding vigour to the 'Swachh Bharat' mission.
Harkirat Singh, Managing Director of Woodland along with UNICEF Odisha team members today made a field visit to rural primary schools in Khandigaon and Jagannathpur to see the WASH projects launched in the district.
Senior team members of UNICEF including YumiBae (Chief, UNISEF Odisha Office), Johnson Rhenius Jeyaseelan (WASH Specialist, UNICEF) joined the visit to review the positive change brought by the programme.

In last five years of this association, Woodland has inspired its employees and customers to raise Rs 20 million for UNICEF WASH programme, helping to improve children access to basic hygiene, sanitation and water facilities in remote communities and over 500 schools across the country, a company statement said.
"Woodland shares UNICEF's deep commitment to improving the lives and well-being of children and young people around the world. The brand has been built with the support of the society and it's our responsibility to give back by supporting the under-priviledged," said Harkirat Singh, Managing Director of Woodland Shoes.
"Open defecation is a key issue in remote parts of our country and Odisha has one of the lowest toilet coverage. Through the WASH Drive, we aim to facilitate the construction of toilets and create awareness amongst households on the problems associated with open defecation," he said.

"We are proud that with the support of our customers and employees, Woodland and UNICEF partnership has strengthened over years; positively affecting the lives of children," said Singh.
Odisha has one of the lowest toilet coverage in the country; mere 22 per cent of households have access to household toilets; 14.1 per cent in rural areas and 64.8 per cent in urban areas, the statement said.