Five Cowries, pcl. partner to drive social change at 2019 Totally Thames Festival, London

Phillips’s Consulting’s (pcl.) has announced its partnership with Five Cowries initiative, towards driving social change and achieving one of its core goals- impacting lives.

A statement from the company made available to business a.m indicated that the partnership, saw pcl. create awareness on the importance of water and its availability, at the 2019 Totally Thames Festival, London through art.

pcl. disclosed it was involved in the distribution of art supplies and canvases for a project- “My Story of Water”, restating the firm’s commitment to drive inclusiveness and development in Nigeria.

The 2019 project, “My Story of Water” is a collaborative arts program bringing children from Lagos with partners around the world, using art as a vehicle for social change.

The initiative is aimed at creating awareness and helping children understand the importance of water, water pollution and the environmental crisis, which will, in turn, inspire creative ways to address the issues in the country.

Polly Alakija, the founder of Five Cowries initiative, explained the challenges young children experience in Nigeria regarding lack of water.

According to her, everyday activities such as bathing and cooking have become chores for these children. “They are constantly at risk of diseases caused by using dirty water”.

She disclosed that the children were encouraged and empowered to express themselves and tell their stories about water using art by painting jerry cans, canoes, etc.

According to the statement, pcl.’s assistance on the project came in form of jerry cans to primary school children in Lagos, Abeokuta, Ilaro, Aiyetoro and Ijebu-Ode in Ogun state and was augmented with support to the kids during the creative sessions.

About 1600 children from over 30 primary schools in Lagos and Ogun states took part in the project and produced an installation of 500 painted jerry cans.

Collaborating with public, private and civil sector partners – including Phillips Consulting Limited (pcl.), Five Cowries initiative is intentional about fusing the three Rs (3Rs) of primary education – reading, writing and arithmetic – with the four Cs (4Cs) – critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity, the statement disclosed.

Dele Phillips, associate partner at pcl., in giving further insight on his firm’s partnership with Five Cowries, said, “Last year, pcl. realigned her business goals with a clear focus on transforming businesses using its strategy, digital and human capital resources.

The Five Cowries initiative provides pcl. with the platform to achieve one of her strategic goals– impacting lives.

The story of water encourages students to tell visual stories about water and sustainability in their environment.”

pcl. has been delighted to provide ‘fluidity’ in the process, making this a success story. We are also pleased with the positive energy towards building and maintaining our waterways,” Phillips said.

As part of the Totally Thames festival, the riverside arcade at Oxo Tower Wharf in London is also currently adorned with an installation of the 500 jerry cans, painted by children across Nigeria till the 30th of September.

A photo-exhibition of the project was unveiled at the London City Hall, on the 3rd of September, with Rob Taiwo, MD, pcl., and Dele Phillips, associate partner, pcl. in attendance to show support to the Five Cowries Initiative.

Five Cowries initiative was launched in 2017 to offer more inclusive pathways into education by integrating arts into teaching to improve learning outcomes.

The initiative was established as a response to the degenerating educational system in Nigeria.

Five Cowries trains 50 teachers who directly support some 2,000 children annually. Through this initiative, they deliver programs that improve education and that also engage children with issues of social and global impact and importance of conservation, citizenship, health, migration and new technologies for pollution.