Starbucks, partners build Aquatower to bring safe drinking water, handwashing stations to communities
tHe local subsidiary of American coffee store chain starbucks and its corporate social responsibility arm have banded together again with a nonprofit organization for the establishment of their third Aquatower in the country located in talao-talao elementary school in Lucena, Quezon.
this community-level water filtration system of starbucks Philippines, the starbucks Foundation, and Planet Water Foundation can deliver 1,000 liters of clean drinking water per hour. it is also equipped with six faucets and integrated liquid soap dispenser used for handwashing.
through the company’s continued partnership with the latter, nearly 1,800 students and teachers from the community will gain access to clean, safe drinking water and handwashing stations.
such initiative is timely with the ensuing Covid-19 pandemic and the prevalence of other communicable diseases, especially in areas that ack hygiene and sanitation facilities.
Hand-in-hand
BECAUSE it takes a village to teach sanitation among the kids, partners from starbucks Philippines volunteered to build the Aquatower and engaged students in a one-day education program on handwashing and proper hygiene.
“We are thankful for the opportunity to provide clean water to the talao-talao elementary school through our partnership with Planet Water Foundation,” said Jamie silva, senior manager for marketing, digital customer experience and loyalty at starbucks Philippines.
“interacting with the children and seeing how the Aquatower and hygiene education will positively impact this community, reaffirms our commitment to enhance the well-being of all those who connect with starbucks,” she added.
Planet Water Foundation focuses on alleviating the global water crisis across the Asia Pacific region and Latin America.
it has been partners with the starbucks Foundation since 2011 when they constructed Aquatowers worldwide, including six markets across Asia Pacific (Aspac), providing up to 73,800 people with access to clean water.
in the Philippines, starbucks partners (employees) volunteered with Planet Water Foundation to build three Aquatowers focusing on elementary schools in rural areas of the country.
earlier in 2022, the firm also helped construct such facilities in Laguna at talangka elementary school in February and nanguma elementary school in August.
these water-filtration systems in the Philippines form part of more than 40 Aquatowers built globally to date in partnership with Planet Water Foundation through support from the starbucks Foundation.