FC Nono starts collaboration with JICA and Yakult on “Achhi Aadat (Good Habit) Campaign” to enlighten children in Bihar on hygiene practices and nutritional management
FC Nono is excited to announce the start of collaboration on “Achhi Aadat (Good Habit) Campaign” session with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Yakult Danone India Private Limited (Yakult) to enlighten children in Bihar, India, on hygiene practices and nutritional management!
“Achhi Aadat (Good Habit) Campaign” (AAC), launched by JICA in January 2021, is aimed to raise awareness on the importance of hygiene practices for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. It focuses on introducing an easy and practical approach to hygiene and sanitation issues by promoting handwashing, nail cleaning, and other hygiene practices.
Following the kick-off session on May 26 -27, 2023, the main sessions are going to be held for more than 150 children, from an orphanage, local schools and their families in Bodh Gaya. Through the sessions, Yakult will deliver its lecture for sharing the importance of nutrition and nutritional management methods that lead to good health, FC Nono will teach football to share the importance of proper physical activity through sport and JICA India will share the importance and the proper ways of the hygiene practices such as hand washing and nail clipping, so that children will learn the daily health management for their long-term health.
FC Nono’s children practice good hygiene by washing hands after soccer practice
Improvement of hygiene environment and practices is one of FC Nono's major goals. Through this participation, we aim to help more children learn the importance of balanced nutrition, proper hand washing, nail clipping, and other hygiene and nutritional practices. This will lead not only to the prevention of injuries in sports activities but also to long-term maintenance of children's physical and mental health.
In addition, sports teams have power and potential in developing countries to collectivize local people and create opportunities for awareness-raising activities through sports. By participating in this campaign, FC Nono will also contribute to creating effective educational platforms for disseminating the importance and specific methods of good hygiene practices and nutritional management.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. SAITO Mitsunori, Chief Representative of JICA India said, “JICA India welcomes Yakult and FC Nono to join ‘Achhi Aadat Campaign’. Through the campaign, we will work together to promote hygienic practices and nutritional management for the health and welfare of people of India. Hygienic practices will reduce the likelihood of viral infections other than COVID-19. Globally, a large number of children lose their lives because of diarrheal diseases, and it is evidenced that washing hands with soap can reduce this risk drastically. COVID-19 crisis has brought about a momentum to change the people’s mindset about hygiene. We understand hygienic practices that become “lifelong good habits” will protect not only oneself but also their loved ones.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. AMANO Eiji, Managing Director of Yakult Danone India Private Limited said, “We are delighted to participate in ‘Achhi Aadat Campaign’ with JICA India and FC Nono. We are happy to give a lecture on nutritional management in daily life in this event and we believe it would be helpful for attendees in Gaya, Bihar state. Through such CSR activities, we are really interested in improving the health of citizens in India, which is in line with our corporate philosophy of contributing to the health and happiness of people around the world.”
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. HAGIHARA Nozomu, Founder of FC Nono said, “It is an honor to join the Achhi Aadat Campaign with JICA and Yakult for children in Bihar to promote hygienic practices and nutritional management. As a charitable and social project, our mission is to improve inclusive living conditions of young girls and boys of Bihar State in India who are forced to live in poverty through a wide range of social activities focused on health, education, nutrition and human resources development towards sustainable livelihoods. To achieve kids’ dreams, we believe that hygiene and nutrition are the most prominent elements especially in rural areas, where people have a glimpse of knowledge about them. Together, it is very important for children to acquire knowledge and habits regarding hygiene and nutrition. We are very happy to have the opportunity to share apposite knowledge and messages with children through this campaign with the above two parties.”
About FC Nono
FC Nono is a social football team dedicated to improve inclusive living conditions of young girls/boys of Bodh Gaya city, Bihar State in India who are forced to live in poverty through a wide range of social activities focused on health, education and human resources development towards sustainable livelihoods. FC Nono reaches out to the youths in impoverished families, prison, the disabled and street children.
About JICA
Established by a specific law, as an incorporated administrative institution under the Government of Japan, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aims to contribute to the promotion of international cooperation, as the sole Japanese governmental agency in charge of ODA implementation. JICA is the world's largest bilateral donor agency and works as a bridge between Japan and emerging countries, providing assistance in the form of loans, grants, and technical cooperation, to enable the emerging countries to strengthen their capabilities.
About Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd
Yakult Danone India Pvt. Ltd. is a 50:50 Joint Venture (JV) between Yakult Honsha in Japan and Groupe Danone in France, both of which are global probiotic leaders. The JV was formed in 2005 and Yakult, a probiotic fermented milk drink was launched in India in 2008. In 2018, Yakult Light, a reduced sugar version of Yakult, with vitamin D and E was launched.
Details of the campaign: https://www.jica.go.jp/india/english/office/others/campaign.html