NISSAN CANADA - A project to ensure fresh water and sanitation in one of the poorest regions in El Salvador will be the beneficiary of funds raised by the private auction of the Infiniti G37 Anniversary Art Project Vehicle which was inspired by Cirque du Soleil, and created in 2009 to commemorate Infiniti's 20th anniversary.
The Infiniti G37 Anniversary Art Project Vehicle fulfilled its mandate to benefit a worthy cause by drawing a winning bid of $55,000 at a private auction held in November for ONE DROP. An initiative of Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil, a respected partner of Infiniti, ONE DROP is committed to raising awareness of water-related issues as well as financing water initiatives in developing countries.
"In addition to commemorating the 20th anniversary of Infiniti and celebrating our ongoing partnership with Cirque du Soleil, the Infiniti G37 Anniversary Art Project Vehicle created as a one-of-a-kind showpiece with the ultimate goal of supporting a worthwhile cause," said Wendy Durward, Director of Infiniti Canada. "We are proud to support the passionate work of Guy Laliberté and the ONE DROP foundation with the proceeds from the Infiniti G37 Anniversary Art Project Vehicle, which we know will make an incredible difference to the lives of so many people in El Salvador."
ONE DROP recommended that the funding raised by the Infiniti G37 Anniversary Art Project Vehicle go to finance part of an ongoing project located in the Morazán area, among poorest regions in El Salvador which has a poverty rate double the national average, where 56 per cent of families live in relative or extreme poverty. Life expectancy is the lowest in the country, as is monthly household income, at US $296, while the illiteracy rate is the country's highest at 32.9 per cent.
Morazán is also the driest area in El Salvador. The ONE DROP project directly impacts 1,800 families and indirectly affects 22,000 people in two municipalities, Cacaopera and Corinto.
The ONE DROP project will provide access to water for households as well as create an irrigation system intended to ensure the area can grow two to three crops a year rather than one, which will substantially increase the average family income. As well the project will provide micro-financing to farmers and small businesses so that they can expand their operations. A third element of the ONE DROP initiative is perhaps closest to the Cirque du Soleil heritage -- a community education effort will assist local theatres to create inventive shows and entertainment that educates on better water management. Local theatre troupes involved in this and surrounding region will stage performances in theatres and local schools.
"The intent is to be very entertaining, and the idea is that people will retain important information about water management, pollution, and health," said Lili-Anna Pereša, Executive Director, ONE DROP.
The Infiniti G37 Anniversary Art Project Vehicle was created in 2009 to commemorate not only Infiniti's 20th anniversary but also the 25th anniversary of Cirque du Soleil. Montreal artist, Heidi Taillefer created the design and spent more than 300 hours over almost one month hand-painting the exterior of the vehicle.
