Brother Canada launches #Makelemonaid campaign to empower girls & break the cycle of poverty, in support of Plan Canada

DOLLARD-DES-ORMEAUX, QC, June 23, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - On June 23, 2015, Brother Canada, a leader in printing, labelling and sewing technology, launched #Makelemonaid, an employee-led initiative to empower women and girls in some of Vietnam's poorest regions.

With #Makelemonaid, Brother Canada employees will serve lemonade in major cities, compete internally to raise funds, and ask Canadians—via social media—to help break the cycle of poverty and begin a cycle of progress for some of Vietnam's most vulnerable women and girls.

The goal? Raise enough money to start 15 entrepreneur's clubs. These clubs give women the tools they need to save money and potentially start a small business. Each time #Makelemonaid hits the $1,500 target, Brother will match it so Plan Canada can start a club—for a total of 15 clubs. The donations will go a long way to improving the lives of hundreds of local girls in 15 communities. Women are the key to success. When they can support themselves, they can create a better future for their children. And that's better for everyone.

"Our employees have an ownership philosophy, so they believe in making Brother Canada the best it can be," said Martin Featherston, President, Brother Canada. "And just as they believe in reshaping Brother Canada into something more, they believe in helping to reshape the world into a better place."

Investing in girls and women

Girls and women in the world's poorest regions are among the most disadvantaged people on the planet. They're less likely to have access to a complete education and adequate medical care. They're also more likely to be deprived of food, and to shoulder the bulk of domestic chores, leaving them with little time for income-generating activities that would support their families and increase their independence. As a result, girls and women often have very little decision-making power in their homes and communities.

Research has shown that investing in girls and women has a beneficial effect on alleviating poverty for families and communities. Improving women's earning capacity also improves children's ability to access education, which dramatically improves their future opportunities. Thus, improving women's capacity to earn an income launches a cycle of progress for everyone, including boys and men.

We invite Canadians to learn more, donate online, and help our employees make a difference. Donate now at makelemonaid.ca

About Brother International Corporation (Canada)
Our customers create amazing things. They need high-quality, user-friendly products that are easy to set up, and work when they need them to. Period. So whether it's one of our award-winning printers, Multi-Function Center® all-in-ones, ScanNCuts, or our market-leading P-touch® electronic labellers, our Canadian team's At Your Side—for the entire life of your product.

Established in 1960 and headquartered in Montreal, QC, Brother Canada is a subsidiary of Brother International Corporation, the US subsidiary of Japan-based Brother Industries Ltd. We provide home, home office, and business products that revolutionize the way we live and work. www.brother.ca

About Plan Canada
Founded in 1937, Plan is one of the world's oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty. Not for profit, independent and inclusive of all faiths and cultures, Plan has only one agenda: to improve the lives of children. Because I am a Girl is Plan's global initiative to end gender inequality, promote girls' rights and lift millions of girls – and everyone around them – out of poverty. Visit plancanada.ca and becauseiamagirl.ca for more information.

SOURCE Brother International Corporation (Canada) Ltd.

Victoria Salvador, Senior Marketing Manager, Brother Canada, 514-822-4457, 1-800-361-6466 x 4457, [email protected]; Abigail Brown, Senior Media and Public Relations Manager, Plan Canada, 1-800-387-1418 x 277, [email protected]