INTERNATIONAL. Women in Travel Retail+ (WiTR+) has today announced its charity for 2024: For Resilience Italian Swiss Association’s (FRASI) Bike to School project. The initiative was proposed by Patricia Bona, Co-Founder and Co-Owner (with husband Jean-Jacques Bona) of fragrance and beauty distributor Essence Corp.
As reported, WiTR+ members nominated three charities for the year and the Bike to School project accumulated the most votes by the time polling closed on 14 January.
FRASI is a non-profit founded in Lugano, Switzerland in 2012. The organisation works to support people who find themselves in vulnerable conditions – in particular boys, girls and women – operating in countries where humanitarian crises arise.
Its Bike to School project was born to help prevent boys and girls from dropping out of school, providing them with means of transportation at a time when Sri Lanka is going through its worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948.
Prices of basic commodities are on the rise and there are shortages of electricity and fuel. There is a risk of a food crisis and health system collapse, which was already destabilised by the COVID-19 pandemic. This economic meltdown has triggered a political and social crisis with protests erupting across the country.
Children are quitting school as the walk there is fraught with danger. This means that not only do they lose basic education but also their only daily guaranteed meal.
In response to this problem FRASI partnered with local associations to launch the Bike to School project. The organisation hopes to assist 200 students from families with financial difficulties, with good academic performance, and living more than 5km away from schools.
Patricia Bona said: “I am thrilled that WiTR+ members have chosen the Bike to School project as its 2024 charity. I believe that empathy, support and collective action can change the world.
“Together, we can give one child at a time a chance for better education, which is vital to breaking the cycle of poverty. If WiTR+ can raise €15,000, more than 100 girls and boys from families with few economic resources will receive a bicycle, helmet, street safety and bike repair lessons.
“Our fundraising will help them get an education and a means to reach their school safely. I hope that the whole industry will help WiTR+ achieve its target.” ✈
