Replenishing Africa during the FIFA World Cup™

This year's 2010 FIFA World Cup™ not only brings the tournament to Africa for the first time in its history, but also offers Coca-Cola an opportunity to fundraise for our Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN) Water for Schools project - including a pledge to donate money every time a footballer celebrates scoring a goal.

When the FIFA World Cup™ arrives in South Africa this summer, journalists, footballers and fans will descend in their thousands. And across the world, millions of people will watch the action on TV screens. But behind all the glamour and excitement of a major international sports event, there's another story. Many areas of South Africa suffer from poor access to clean water, affecting health and education as communities struggle to survive. They're among the estimated 300 million Africans who do not have reliable access to clean water.

Through the Coca-Cola Africa Foundation*, Coca-Cola is working with existing charities to help address Africa's water situation. Coca-Cola's RAIN project has committed US$30million (£19.5million) to provide schools and communities throughout Africa with safe drinking water. So far, the project has reached 300,000 people in 19 different countries, and over the next six years we expect to give a total of at least two million people access to clean water.

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During the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, people who enjoy Coca-Cola can join in with the FIFA World Cup™ and fundraise for the RAIN Water for Schools project at the same time. FIFA and Coca-Cola are teaming up to recognise the most entertaining goal celebrations with an online Best Player Celebration award, voted for by fans. Each time a player celebrates a goal with a dance, Coca-Cola will donate more funds to the Coca-Cola RAIN Water for Schools effort.

Sustaining communities
There are other ways to donate, too. In Great Britain, consumers can help raise funds by donating points on Coke Zone, and Coca-Cola will match every point donated to buy supplies for Water for Schools. Collections will also be held everywhere the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy appears as part of the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola.

Coca-Cola believes that our business is only as sustainable as the communities around it. Peter Lochery is head of water programmes for CARE, the global humanitarian organisation that is one of the international charities helping us make the RAIN Water for Schools project a success. He says: "Coca-Cola is accelerating its water efforts in Africa at a crucial time. This effort further demonstrates the Coca-Cola commitment to working with partners such as CARE who are on the front lines of the global battle to deliver safe water, sanitation and hygiene to millions in need."

*By clicking external links you will leave the Coca-Cola GB site. Find out more