The 50 boys that call the orphanage home woke up to a special delivery of brand-new bicycles on Christmas morning.
It all started in October, when a team at EDG led by Greg Schulte brainstormed a way to help the children and bring them a brighter Christmas. A program affectionately known as "Love for Luanda" was launched with a fund raising goal of $10,000. The plan included a matching initiative from EDG. For every dollar raised by employees, friends and clients - EDG promised to match.
Donations poured in, and within the 2-month period, $9,500 had been raised. With the matched amount provided by EDG, $19,000 was to be given to the boys at the orphanage.
With such a large sum of money raised, the Love for Luanda team wanted to be strategic about spending it. That's when the idea of buying bikes came up. A bicycle in Luanda is more than just a fun way to spend time - it's a mode of transportation. Giving each of the boys a bike would open up a new world of hope to them. But how does a team of people in the United States get 50 bikes to an orphanage in Angola? Utilizing resources.
The team of Projectos employees led by Antonio Vicente Dos Santos, Burling Scelson and Yvonne Scelson spent time locating bikes in and around Luanda. It not only made logistical sense to purchase the bikes in Luanda, it brought money to the local businesses.
A bus was chartered to pick up the bikes and deliver them to the orphanage. All of the research and planning was done covertly so the special delivery for the Mulemba Association residents was kept a secret.
And it was a success. EDG successfully surprised the children with 60 bicycles. "Participating in this campaign was simply an incredible experience," expressed Schulte, "to see how the EDG employees, clients and management worked together to raise these funds, shows the depth of character of the organization and our commitment to Angola."
