ONE of the largest FMCG companies in South Africa, Unilever South Africa, has joined forces with 86 Spar stores across the country through its OMO brand for the 8th OMO Spar Schools Challenge.
Thousands of pupils around the country stand in line to receive great prizes, ranging from PE kits, mini science portable laboratories and other prizes for their school to the value of R2.2 million.
This year’s challenge is seeing an expected increase in participating schools.
The initiative is part of an ongoing drive by OMO to encourage pupils to be more active through sport and to equip them with vital resources that will promote development.
‘OMO has been involved in education and sports projects for more than a decade. Teachers are constantly looking for innovative ways to engage pupils in an informative and entertaining manner, particularly in the areas of mathematics and science,’ said Andrew Mysell, OMO Marketing Manager.
‘Our sponsorship of PE kits and mini science portable laboratories will provide a practical and integrated approach to learning and youth development.’
Every child has the right to experience, learn and develop. The key to making this happen is parent participation, and the schools challenge is to target parents, who are the primary influencers of children.
Parents will have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully and nominate their child’s school by purchasing either a 2kg or 3kg OMO Fast Action washing powder or a 1.8kg OMO with a Touch of Comfort pack at any of the 86 national participating Spar outlets.
Rewards
The top 75 winning schools with the most entries will receive mini science laboratories, as well as PE kits for each pupil in their school, applicable to one winning school per store.
OMO will also provide the winning school’s science teacher with a one-day training programme on how to operate the mini science laboratories and how to make science experiments.
Shaun Moodley, Branch Manager of Esikhaweni Spar in Empangeni, said, ‘We have been proud supporters of the schools challenge for years and have been inundated with entries every year.
‘This is indicative of the popularity of the competition. We are pleased to be able to contribute to the development of pupils and, ultimately, the community.’
Unilever encourages interested participants to purchase as many OMO products as possible over the next three months to increase their chances of winning.
Nombuso Mthembu, deputy principal of Imbaliyamazulu Primary School in KwaMashu, one of the winning schools in last year’s challenge, said, ‘Learning should not only be confined to the classroom. Children are more likely to develop essentials skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, problem solving, creativity and negotiation if they are encouraged to embrace the outdoors and engage in physical activity’.
How to take part:
– Purchase either a 2kg or 3kg OMO Fast Action washing powder or a 1.8kg Omo with a Touch of Comfort pack at any of the 86 participating Spar outlets nationally.
– Write your name, cell number and the name of one of the primary schools on the back of the till slip.
– Place the till slip in the entry box provided in the participating Spar store.
Winners will be announced at the handover ceremony taking place in October.
For more information on the 2014 Omo Spar Schools Challenge contact 0860572908, or email consumer.affairs-za@unilever.com or visit www.omo.co.za
