In partnership with Swedish based- non-profit organization, Reach for Change, Tigo has launched a new initiative aimed at improving the lives of children through social entrepreneurs who have ideas on how to better the lives of children across all Tigo African operations.
From October 17th to 30th November 2012, individuals with a strong passion and ideas with great social impact that are scalable and financially sustainable with the potential to change the lives of children are invited to apply to receive financial support of twenty-five thousand dollars each ($25,000.00), business mentorship and professional support from Tigo to enable them implement their project.
Speaking at the launch of the project, the General Manager of Tigo Ghana, Mr Adil El Youssefi, reiterated Tigo's commitment to partner and empower people with the right tools and the entrepreneurial drive to make sustainable change. He also stressed Tigo's continued commitment to education, well-being and the environment as the pillars of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
Mr. Youssefi said, 'it is in fulfillment of this commitment and pledge that led us to construct a new Reproductive and Child Health Unit for the Atwima Mponua district Hospital in the Ashanti Region and in June this year, in collaboration with Safe Child Ghana, we commissioned barricades for open water reservoirs within the Tema metropolis. These open water reservoirs, sited near a cluster of primary schools, had previously claimed the lives of some young children’. This year, in partnership with the British Council, Tigo will give full educational scholarship to one brilliant student for a master's programme in the United Kingdom through the Challenge educational reality programme which is currently running on selected TV stations.
Letitia Adu-Ampoma, Head of Integrity & CSR, Tigo Ghana indicated that this is the official launch of the Tigo Reach for Change initiative following a pilot that Tigo Ghana ran last year. Explaining how it works, she said 'the unique selection process of Reach for Change will ensure all applications receive equal and due attention. Shortlisted applicants will also be given the opportunity to present their business plans to the team. Two winning social entrepreneurs will then be selected and they will each receive an annual salary fund of twenty-five thousand dollars each ($25,000.00) over a three year period with professional advisory support from Tigo'.
She also indicated that, seven social entrepreneurs are already benefiting from the pilot Reach for Change initiative held in 2011.
Tigo alongside the launch of the partnership with Reach for Change, also introduced a new brand tagline dubbed 'Smile, you've got Tigo'. The head of Marketing, Mr Tenu Awoonor explained this change was driven by Tigo's deep understanding of customer needs and the commitment of Tigo to provide innovate products, quality services and excellent customer care services that will translate into value for money for Tigo customers; thereby putting a smile on their faces.
Interested social entrepreneurs or the general public with a desire and idea to transform the lives of children can apply online by visiting the reach for change website at http://reachforchange.org/ghana/apply,or the Tigo website at http://www.tigo.com.gh/reachforchange or any Tigo Customer Care Centre. Interested applicants could also dial 4545 for assistance. Applications are opened from October 17 to November 30, 2012.