Tigo launches Flagship CSR initiative dubbed “Reach for Change”

Tigo launches Flagship CSR initiative dubbed “Reach for Change”

Tigo Ghana, together with the Swedish-based non-profit organization, Reach for Change, have 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’s operations in Africa.

The new initiative is Tigo’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity, under which individuals with a passion backed by scalable and financially sustainable ideas that promise to make great social impact and has the potential to change the lives of children would stand the chance of receiving financial support of up to $25,000.00 to embark on that project.

Potential beneficiaries of the scheme are required to apply October 17th to 30th November 2012, and those whose projects proposals qualify under the criteria mentioned above, would also have business mentorship and professional support from Tigo in addition to the cash support to enable them implement their project.

Speaking at the launch of the project, the General Manager Tigo Ghana, 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 stressed Tigo’s continued commitment to education, the well-being of society and to the environment as the pillars of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.

Youssefi said, ‘it was in fulfillment of this commitment and pledge Tigo constructed a new Reproductive and Child Health Unit for the Atwima Mponua District Hospital in the Ashanti Region and in June this year, and we also commissioned barricades for open water reservoirs in collaboration with Safe Child Ghana at Tema.”

He noted that these open water reservoirs at Tema, sited near a cluster of primary schools, had previously claimed the lives of some young children and even motorists, but Tigo’s gesture has would prevent any more deaths.

The GM said Tigo has and would continue to partner the British Council to give full educational scholarship to one brilliant student for a master’s programme in the United Kingdom through the Challenge educational TV reality show, currently running on selected TV stations.

Head of Integrity & CSR at Tigo Ghana, Leticia Adu-Ampoma said prior to the official launch of the Reach for Change initiative, Tigo run a pilot last year, from which seven social entrepreneurs are currently benefiting.

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 a salary fund of twenty-five thousand dollars each ($25,000.00) over a three year period with professional advisory support from Tigo”.

At the launch of the Reach for Change initiative, Tigo also introduced a new brand tagline dubbed ‘Smile, you’ve got Tigo’.

The Head of Marketing, Tenu Awoonor explained that the 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 and put a smile on their faces.

Interested social entrepreneurs and Ghanaians 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.