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Corporate Social ResponsibilityNews
4.16.2007 - 08:00am ET
Mothers with Big Dreams: IKEA PS Grindtorp Pillows, Made by Extraordinary Mothers in Poverty-Stricken India, Help Support Their Lifes' Big Dreams; for their Children, their Villages and for ThemselvesTHE JOURNEY IS LONG. BUT THE OUTCOME IS OUTSTANDING. HUNDREDS OF WOMEN IN UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA ARE REALIZING THEIR BIG DREAMS!
(CSRwire) CONSHOHOCKEN PA - April 16, 2007 - It's a self-empowering program for
mothers. It starts with talent, enthusiasm, plus a strong desire to help
themselves. And all this happens through a strong partnership between IKEA
and UNICEF®.   IKEA GRINDTORP PS Cushion Covers for just $14.99 are handcrafted by enterprising Indian women. The Grindtorp cushions evolved from a visit to the Indian villages by IKEA designers Anna Efverlund and Maria Vinka. They were astounded by the women’s extraordinary embroidery and craftsmanship. And now nearly 2,000 women do this embroidery work and earn a solid income that has changed and empowered their lives forever. This Mothers Day, help other mothers make their dreams come true! GRINDTORP PROGRAM For more than 10 years, IKEA has supported UNICEF. Since 2000, IKEA finances a Child Rights Project in northern India, with the aim of preventing child labor in the carpet industry. Now IKEA has taken it a step further, building on the results of the original social project; in 2005 IKEA launched a unique Income Generation Initiative that gives the extra support for lasting changes when the social projects are concluded. The result is IKEA PS GRINDTORP cushion covers that allow over 2000 women to do this embroidery work and get an income. The conditions include that the women belong to mature self help groups and demonstrate that they actively working towards getting all children in their villages to attend school. The creation of women's self-help groups was also key to the success of the Child Rights Project. The women learn about children's rights, health and nutrition, saving money, starting up small businesses etc., in order to get rid of debts and to contribute to the income of their families. The women earn self-confidence, a strengthened status within the community and are encouraged to set up small businesses. And most importantly, around 75,000 children in 500 villages benefit directly by getting an education they would otherwise be denied. This Mother's Day, the perfect token of appreciation is an IKEA PS Grindtorp cushion cover. A Way for Mothers to have their Big Dreams realized! About IKEA IKEA places great value on life at home. A comforting spot where family and friends gather, where children learn and grow. A place where laughter is constant. And everyone is welcome to just hang out. An IKEA home is not about bricks and mortar. It's about beauty, joy and security. Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings and accessories of good design and functional living solutions at prices so low that the majority of the people can afford them. Currently there are more than 250 IKEA stores in 34 countries, including 29 in the U.S., where IKEA plans to open three - five stores a year. IKEA has been named to BusinessWeek’s List of The Best Global Brands (August 7, 2006) and for four consecutive years, Working Mother magazine’s annual list of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers." IKEA was listed in March 2007, on Fast Company’s Fast 50, for its environmentally responsible products, as well as five consecutive years, Training magazine’s annual list of top companies that excel at human capital development. Additionally, IKEA has been on FORTUNE's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list for three straight years. IKEA recently received the Foreign Policy Association Award for Global Corporate Social Responsibility. IKEA incorporates environmentally friendly efforts into day-to-day business and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment including UNICEF, Save the Children and American Forests. To visit the IKEA Web site, please go to http://www.IKEA-usa.com. To learn more about IKEA environmental and social responsibility actions and programs, visit http://www.ikea-group.ikea.com/corporate/responsible/brochure.html. For more information please contact:
Mona Astra Liss, Corporate PR Director
Enid Lewin
For more CSR news and information from this organization:
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