Words by Smiley Team
In a world where people are searching for the mission and purpose of businesses they buy from, there’s never a better time to highlight the great work companies are doing to give back.
We’ve already rounded up those businesses who plant trees to help life on land when people make purchases, as well as those who remove plastic from the ocean to help life below water.
Here, we’re focusing on the companies who are giving back to enrich the lives of children in their education.
[Find out more how businesses are giving back in creative ways]
Mamacodes is a coding school for children aged three to 13, equipping them with the skills they need to thrive in a world ruled by technology. As tech becomes an ever-increasing important part of our worlds, the team has decided to donate and provide free coding classes to marginalised children as part of its outreach programme. The company’s charity partner is Nova New Opportunities, who support the north Kensington community affected by the Grenfell fire tragedy. Find out more.
The outdoor clothing brand for kids supports Farms for City Children, providing full sets of waterproofs for children visiting the farms, so they can work hard and reap all the rewards from their week on the farm while staying warm and dry. It’s a requirement that children are totally protected on the working farms, and much of the time they would arrive with poor quality clothing that was not waterproof. As they soon got wet and cold, their time spent outdoors was limited and meant that they could not fully appreciate the activities they took part in. It also supports a local charity, Urban Wild Places, who work to get inner-city children outdoors. Find out more.
The lingerie brand’s mission is to increase access to education and employment for vulnerable women and girls. The company has donated more than 16,000 pairs of underwear to the charity Smalls for All – and aims to donate 23,000 pairs by 2023. It’s an important cause, as in some communities, it’s estimated that 1 in 10 girls miss school on their periods due to a lack of underwear and sanitary products. Without proper period protection, they’re left with no choice but to miss school – up to 12 weeks a year. The company also donates £1 from every sale of their menstrual cups to support menstrual hygiene education in Uganda. Find out more.
The small brand is committed to making a big impact – to inspire the lives of adventure and exploring through education. Every item bought from Sherpa funds a school day for a child in Nepal. The donations fund teacher training, developing reading materials, and building libraries or developing classrooms. The company also has a partnership with global charity Room to Read, who have been working in Nepal for 20 years. Find out more.
Whilst developing The Notier Club, founder Ammarah I knew our company wanted to make an impactful change; not only for a student who purchases the product, but for women around the world who aren't fortunate enough to receive a full education due to early marriages, cultural traditions, lack of income and more. The company donates 10% of all profits to the Malala Fund, to help make a difference to this world by supporting women to get their fundamental education rights. "Through purchasing stationery that improves the quality of your education, you are also providing a less fortunate woman with the opportunity to study," sats Ammarah. Find out more.
