MasterCard and COMO to Support Schools and Charities in 2011

COMO Hotels and Resorts is furthering its collaboration with MasterCard on a global scale through the MasterCard Purchase with Purpose programme.

For every transaction made with a MasterCard card at a COMO property between 1 October 2011 and 31 December 2011, MasterCard will donate US$30 to a community project with which the COMO property is closely affiliated.

This initiative follows the success of the 2010 collaboration between COMO and MasterCard on the same programme, which raised US$35,580.

As with last year, the programme in 2011 will focus on educational and wellbeing initiatives, from supporting schools to improving nutrition and sanitation.

Examples of projects funded by last year’s programme include stocking the libraries of Tirta Kumara Kindergarten in Bali and Maafushi and Guraidhoo schools in the Maldives, delivery of sanitary essentials to the nuns of Kela Goemba in Bhutan, and improvement of sanitation and cooking facilities in the Wat Bangploeng School in Thailand.

The eight COMO properties that will support the programme are COMO Shambhala Estate and Uma Ubud in Bali, the Metropolitan in Bangkok, Uma Paro in Bhutan, Cocoa Island in the Maldives, The Halkin and the Metropolitan in London, and Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos.

Ming Tan, Director of the COMO Foundation, COMO’s philanthropic arm, said, "COMO Hotels and Resorts is committed to investing in the communities and the environments that surround each of our locations. We have found that the Purchase with Purpose programme has not only strengthened our bonds with the community and staff, but guests have also been delighted at the opportunity to play a part in the sustainability of each region. They embraced the concept and were interested in the projects initiated by the properties, in cooperation with their local community partners. COMO is honoured to work with them, not only in this programme but also in a long-term partnership involving funds, skills transfer and volunteerism."

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