KONE pledges its support for children during pandemic

May 19, 2020

Distance education has especially proven its value, allowing students to keep up with their studies and peers even while confined to their homes.

For many children however, this has led to inequality with their peers if they cannot access laptops, internet and a safe home environment in which to study. This can be compounded by students struggling to deal with overcrowding, lack of access to food and health services and extended periods stuck indoors.

Jérôme Audais, Managing Director of KONE Australia & New Zealand said this in a statement.

“All of us have been impacted by this pandemic to various degrees and faced issues we have never dealt with before. Children are especially vulnerable right now while they are away from their usual support networks in our schools and universities.“

At KONE we believe that all children have a right to live comfortably and enjoy an education. Globally, we have dedicated 500 thousand euros to aid those affected by the pandemic.

In Australia we are supporting Kids Helpline, Australia’s only free, private and confidential counselling service for young people. Since they were founded in 1991, they have been contacted over 8 million times, often providing lifesaving support and guidance for those in need.

In New Zealand, we are supporting KidsCan, a charity set up to ensure that children affected by poverty have the essentials needed to participate in learning and have an opportunity at a better future.

Jérôme Audais continues “It’s critically important for us to support those around us, especially those most at risk. KONE is proud to be able to support these amazing charities and the specific work they’re doing to support children during this pandemic.”