Finnair launches initiative for children of Bihar

New Delhi: Nordic carrier Finnair has launched a new programme as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative in India to ensure safe drinking water and proper sanitation for the children of Bihar.

Called the "Change for Good Campaign", the carrier will start collecting money from its passengers - even small change, and hence the name - that would be routed via the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) to the children of the state.

"We want a safe learning environment for the children of Bihar. Our objective is also to encourage children, families and communities to adopt hygienic practices and practical water treatment measures," said Kari Stolbow, Finnair director for the Indian subcontinent.

The collection starts end of this month and will continue till Jan 10 next year, he said, adding Finnair will also make its own contributions to the programme.

The Change for Good Campaign has been arranged on nearly all the international flights of Finnair. The donated cash/change can be placed in a collection envelope on seatback pockets, which can be sealed and given to the cabin crew.

Donations can also be made online at www.unicef.fi/lahjoitaverkossa. This apart, people can also participate by giving their donations to the airline's passengers, who can put it into the collection boxes located at Finnair lounges at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.

This is the 14th time the carrier has arranged the campaign. Over the years, it has been directed to education programmes in Rwanda and Nepal, HIV/AIDS in Vietnam and Kaliningrad and an emergency relief project in Kosovo.