Schwarzkopf support Haiti womens' scheme

Haircare brand Schwarzkopf is offering girls and women in Haiti the chance to become more independent through the Schwarzkopf Million Chances scheme.

The scheme encourages women to remove plastic waste from their local environment and turn it into a means of exchange for money or other services.

The initiative is part of the partnership between Henkel, Schwarzkopf's parent company, and the social enterprise the Plastic Bank. Since 2013, the Plastic Bank has been pursuing its aim to stop ocean plastic and monetise waste while improving the lives of people in countries that lack waste management infrastructure.

A new plastic waste collection has been opened in Croix de Bouquets. At the Plastic Bank centres, mobile phones, which are often the only means of communication, can be charged, and people are provided with cooking fuel and stoves as well as other services for their daily needs such as free internet access. Furthermore, the money they earn provides them with a steady income, offering children the opportunity to go school, which in Haiti is fee-based.

Marie-Ève Schröder, Corporate Senior Vice President International Marketing for Henkel Beauty Care commented:

“In a country like Haiti that is shaped by poverty and the lack of prospects, you need a fair bit of patience and have to invest a lot of time and dedication to be successful with your cause. That's exactly what Schwarzkopf's Million Chances initiative is doing here and over the course of the partnership with the Plastic Bank. In particular, we are focusing on the daily needs and problems of girls and women.

“Environmental issues, poverty, not enough educational opportunities and jobs – these are only a few of the challenges that women face on a daily basis. What's more is that often the women have to raise their children all by themselves. I am sure that we can help girls and women here in Haiti and offer them a way to be more self-confident, as well as providing better chances and future prospects with Schwarzkopf's Million Chances initiative.”

The opening of the new collection centre is the beginning of Henkel's commitment in Haiti with more centres planned for this year.