Kodak Expands Global Literacy Program to Benefit Disadvantaged Populations

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - May 14, 2018 - Kodak announced it is creating a volunteer printer network that will produce thousands of children’s books and school supplies in 2018 to benefit some of the world’s most disadvantaged populations, using sustainable Kodak printing products, such as Kodak Sonora process-free plates.

“It’s wonderful to see printers signing up across the globe to participate in Kodak’s Print for Good program,” said Richard Rindo, General Manager Sales, Print Systems Division, Vice President Eastman Kodak Company. “Participating printers are using Kodak’s sustainable technology to print and donate quantities of approximately 2,000 or more pieces of original children’s book titles or school notebooks. Those books and school supplies will be distributed in different geographies through on-the-ground partnerships with literacy organizations, schools and local non-profit groups.”

Last year, Print for Good placed more than 30,000 books and printed materials into the hands of thousands of children in communities throughout Europe, the United States, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.  The program also:

• Donated funds to help build a library in an all-girls Haitian orphanage
• Provided prayer booklets that were delivered to children in need during the 2017 Passover holiday in Israel
• Hosted book-signing events and book drives spanning the globe

The Print for Good initiative also saw Kodak employees in the company’s facilities around the world volunteer to support their own community literacy initiatives, including participation in local school reading programs.

According to Rindo, printers are joining the effort from every major sales territory.  “They are volunteering to join Kodak in 2018 to share the printed word in support of literacy, and help to build stronger communities,” he said.

This year, Kodak will also establish a new partnership with Room to Read, a global non-profit focused on literacy and girls’ education in low-income countries. Working with Room to Read, Kodak will support the establishment of Room to Read’s Literacy Program at a primary school in Rajasthan, India, bringing the community access to a safe and child-friendly learning environment, with books in the children’s local language, as well as teachers and librarians who are trained in the best practices of reading and writing instruction. To ensure the longevity and success of the program, Kodak and Room to Read will work closely to build strong community and government partnerships.

“There are millions of children who need high-quality education interventions around the world. Our partnership with Kodak allows us to deepen Room to Read’s impact in India and tackle illiteracy head-on in the state of Rajasthan,” said Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Geetha Murali. “Kodak’s support will contribute to our impact on the lives of 270,000 children in India through our Literacy Program, enabling them to reach their full potential and change the direction of their future.”

Kodak is making multiple original designs and narrative children’s stories available to its Print for Good printer network in the coming months, both through the existing Room to Read archive and through a partnership with renowned designer and children’s book author, Tad Carpenter. Carpenter will be creating an exclusive 18-page illustrated book, sponsored by Kodak, on the topic of sustainability – highlighting how kids around the world can help conserve water, save energy and reduce pollution.

“At Kodak, we view sustainability through the lens of the ‘triple bottom line’ otherwise known as People, Planet and Profits,” said Rindo. “Promoting our sustainable portfolio, including our process free plates is good for the planet.  Improving global literacy is good for people and the communities in which Kodak lives and operates. And, all this activity drives the value of print and the longevity of the print industry – in every sense, it’s Print for Good!”

Source: Kodak.

The preceding press release was provided by a company unaffiliated with Printing Impressions. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of Printing Impressions.