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Corporate Social Responsibility

Embrion places a value on sharing its success with others across the world. Each year we commit 5% percentage of our profits to distribute between our partner charities as part of our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.

We support a number of charities including CORD, a water charity working in the developing world.
 

CORD – Water projects in Burundi

Burundi is ranked 5th poorest country in the world with 58% of its population living on less than a dollar a day. 80% of rural diseases are due to lack of personal hygiene and insufficient basic sanitation. Water collection is the responsibility of women and children and it is estimated 2 hours per day is spent on this task. This impacts negatively on household income and contributes to poverty. Our work has supported improvements to clean drinking water and sanitation.
We are funding work which aims to generate clean drinking water for 139,000 people and at the same time improve hygiene and sanitation practices with direct and practical impact on poverty reduction for families in rural Burundi. We hope the project will reduce water borne diseases as a result of clean springs and the use of pit latrines. This combined with additional health training will lead to a reduction in infant illness and mortality, increase food production and generate income.
Générose ( pictured with water committee)returned to Burundi in 2008 after 13 years of exile in neighbouring Tanzania. Now she heads the Water Committee in her Hill community. Elected for a second term, her responsibility is to ensure the newly protected water spring is constantly maintained and that the importance of cleanliness and hygiene is conveyed to every family.
Open quotesYou know, for us, water is life! It affects everything! To get clean water it used to take us an hour!Close quotes-
Before the community had a protected spring they were unable to keep their clothes or even cooking utensils clean, meaning illnesses such as diarrhoea was common. It was a vicious circle. Protecting a spring is simple and costs less than £500. The water source is protected with clay, gravel is used to filter dirt out of the water and a twig fence prevents animals drinking in the spring and contaminating it. Women still carry water home on their heads twice a day, but a 20 litre jerry can be filled in less than 10 seconds - a UN requirement. It’s less than two miles home, which is considered short.
Open quotesWe’ve seen a lot of changes since we’ve had access to clean drinking water. There have been fewer illnesses in the community and we’re able to keep ourselves, our clothes and our homes cleaner and more hygienic. Because we’ve had training, Water Committee members can help our community understand how to transport and store water properly and how to use it safely in cookingClose quotes-
It’s not only people’s health that has improved because of the Water Committees. Women’s involvement in the committees is quite radical too. Women don’t typically occupy positions of leadership, so Générose knows it is boosting their self-esteem and influence. Seeing this change, younger girls are encouraged to pursue an education. After testing 77 springs in January, we have con tribute funding towards helping Cord to establish 26 Water Committees and maintain 60 springs in Giharo and Mpinga Kayove communes.