Engel & Völkers Charity – A time to give
Success is a wonderful thing. Sharing that success even more so! Engel & Völkers has been specialised in the sale of prestigious real estate for more than 30 years. We now operate in 36 countries across four continents, and have more than 3,700 staff members employed under the Engel & Völkers umbrella brand.
“We believe that our business operations are inextricably linked with a duty to act in a socially responsible way” says Christian Völkers, CEO of Engel & Völkers International.
That is why Engel & Völkers have founded the Engel & Völkers Charity e.V. to actively support a primary school project in Togo, West Africa.
It was a member of his family that drew Christian Völkers’ attention to the project of a friend in Togo/Africa., and specifically to the village of Agbetiko. His initial private donation triggered further thoughts about realising Corporate Social Responsibility within the company of Engel & Völkers, as well as laying the foundation stone of the non-profit-making association “Engel & Völkers Charity e.V. / Association for the Long-Term Support of Educational Relief Projects in Africa”.
The situation on the ground is extreme. There is no reliable supply of electricity in Togo and just 14% of the population have access to clean drinking water. Other problems facing the children include the absolute lack of medical provision, extreme weather conditions (high temperatures and heavy rainfall) and insufficient nutrition.
However, in spite of these conditions, the children in Togo want to learn! This will is impressively shown as pupils make their daily route to school of up to 10 kilometres in blisteringly hot temperatures or during the dangerous rainy season. There aren’t any school buses and children aren’t accompanied to school by their parents. The 6-year-olds have to find their long way by themselves, as there isn’t a school in every village.
Aided by the generous support of Engel & Völkers employees, Licence Partners and the Engel & Völkers Management Board, they are aiming together to finance the building of a primary school in this village, which will educate more than 200 children on a daily basis in the years to come. The first step for the children in Agbetiko will be to build the main school building and hire a teacher, who will teach the children in six primary school years. The school will be equipped with teaching materials, school uniforms and furniture. Further school buildings, a school canteen, a residential unit for employees and project leaders and a boarding house for children from villages located further away are the subsequent projects planned on the school site.
Engel & Völkers’ efforts are aimed at giving the children of Togo the chance to lead a better life in their home country, on their continent, in our world. They have taken the first step and will continue to support this cause. A long-term donation has already been made for ongoing operational costs incurred during the school year. These costs include maintenance expenses, school fees, salaries for teachers and project managers, and schooling material (books, pens, blackboards, furniture).
Perceiving the world around us, aside from the finer things in life that Engel & Völkers in particular is so familiar with, we cannot fail to see the hardship and adversity in our world and it is our moral duty to provide help where it is most needed. It is not just financial interconnectedness that poses a challenge in our age of globalisation but above all social and humanitarian integration.
“Even though this is a large scale project, there are so many other families and individuals in each of our communities, which are daily in need of assistance” added Craig Hutchison, CEO of Engel & Völkers Southern Africa. Imagine providing one person with a meal, it might not seem much, but imagine if 100 people each did the same action, the reaction would be immense.
“Each one of our shops are involved in the community they serve on a daily basis. Our passion for property does not end by the building structure, but is an integrate mix of a love for people, offering the best lifestyle possible and contributing to the community we serve” Craig continued.
Those old clothes which we keep hidden back in the closet, knowing that we will not wear again, could be the difference between life and death for others during winter, or old toys which are stock piled in the garage could put a smile on a child’s face this festive season.
HOW ATTENDING SCHOOL CAN CHANGE LIVES FOR THE BETTER!
Elias was born on 13 November 1958 with the name AHADZI YA WO Yikoennyame Wolali. He grew up in bitter poverty together with four siblings in Agbetiko. His father died in 1962, leaving his mother to struggle to bring up all five children with the meagre wages from her work in the fields. There wasn’t enough money for all the children to attend school. As Elias now says, he only received a school education “by the grace of God”.Elias was good enough to gain entry to university, where he studied for and qualified with a degree in Economics and Business Studies. He then went on to attend the National Business School, leaving in 1988 as a qualified Customs Inspector. To start with he was unemployed for a time, but then he received a position working at customs in Togo and remained in his home country for nine years. His career brought him on two occasions to France, where he studied at the National College for Customs. Elias returned to Togo in 2001 as a Head Customs Inspector. Elias’ wife studied Law at the University of Lomé/Togo and is now a consultant at the Court of Appeals in Lomé. Elias and his wife have one child and live in Togo. Elias found his own path to success, but didn’t forget his roots and his home village in the process. He returned and founded a humanitarian relief project. His dedication and generosity mean that children without any means are able to attend school. He has been involved in the setting up of schools in the past, and will be a great support to us in the realisation of our primary school in Agbetiko.
Our personal contact with Elias and our insight into the path his life has taken only strengthen our belief that a school education is so extremely important for the children in Africa. The funds raised by the Engel & Völkers Charity e.V. will make it possible for many children to attend primary school – and hopefully then to continue learning and other schools and colleges as they grow older. A first step towards a brighter future! Elias has already set an example for us.
We would like to invite you to assist us in getting involved and helping us to make a difference. If you know of any family in your community in need of assistance, or have any items which you would like to put to good use, please feel free to visit your closest Engel & Völkers shop and share your ideas and initiatives with us. Alternatively e-mail us on pr@engelvoelkers.co.za with any suggestions, inputs or questions which you may have, and let us see if we can assist.
Animal Welfare Port Elizabeth
Help us feed the animals this festive season. We are donating bags of dog and cat food and cash donations. If you would like to make a contribution, please feel free to drop it off at our Port Elizabeth shop located at:
Shop 74, Moffett on Main Lifestyle Centre, Cnr. 17th Ave & Main Road, Walmer or contact
or Mandy Grant on 041 367 2888 or 083 449 2678 or Mandy.Grant@engelvoelkers.com
Tenterden Place of Safety (for children)
With so many children falling victim to abuse and neglect, help us to put a few smiles on their faces with the donation of toiletries and clothes (old and new) for boys and girls ages 2 – 14, stationery and toys. If you would like to make a contribution, please feel free to drop it off at Southern Suburbs shop located at:
12B Prospur House, Cavendish Street, Claremont or contact Delia Walters on 021 761 2200 or Delia.Walters@engelvoelkers.com
Childline
We would like to give the province’s orphans and vulnerable children a better future. Childline protects and promotes their well being and provide assistance to children in crisis. We are looking for any items of food, toiletries and stationery for school children. If you would like to make a contribution, please feel free to drop it off at any of our Potchefstroom shops located at:
65 Retief Street, or 4 Mooiriver Mall, Cor Nelson Mandela & Govan Mbeki Drive, Potchefstroom or contact Helandi Koch on 018 297 5777 or
073 147 4212 or Helandi.koch@engelvoelkers.com
LIV Village, Umhlanga
LIV Village places is home to orphaned and vulnerable within a family environment where they receive unconditional love and nurturing, along with spiritual discipleship, education and medical care. They are in need of cash donations, if you wish to make a contribution, please feel free to visit our Umhlanga shop at:
Shop 14, Umhlanga Centre, 185 Ridge or contact Conrad Vorster on 031 561 4353 or Conrad.Vorster@engelvoelkers.com
Sakhelwe Children’s Home & Day Centre
Sakhelwe Children’s home and day centre cares for orphaned and abandoned children in the area of Mpumalanga. We are putting together Christmas box present for the children with anything from a t-shirt to toiletries to a small present. If you would like to make a contribution, please feel free to drop it off at our Dullstroom Shop located at:
The Meander, 617 Naledi Street, Dullstroom or contact Charmane Horn on 013 254 0033 or
082 654 6645 or Charmane.Horn@engelvoelkers.com
Domestic Animal Rescue Group
DARG is a pro-life, non-profit organisation that rescues, cares for and re-homes abused, neglected and abandoned cats and dogs. They are in need of pet food and accessories, garden, office and DIY equipment and any other unwanted items to raise funds. For a full list please visit www.darg.org.za for the wish list. Help us to help them! If you would like to make a contribution, please feel free to drop it off at our Camps Bay Shop located at:
Shop 6, Central Parade, cnr Camps Bay Drive & 89 Victoria Road, Camps Bay or contact on Maxine Church-Bingley on 021 438 8722 or 082 419 9330 or Maxine.Church@engelvoelkers.com
Eersterust Welfare Organisation for the Aged
EWOFA is a welfare organisation caring for the aged. They are in need of any cosmetics, scarves and Christmas Eats and Treats. ! If you would like to make a contribution, please feel free to drop it off at our Faerie Glen Shop located at:
Shop 9, Glen Village South Shopping Centre, Cnr Solomon Mahlangu & Olympus Road, Faerie Glen or contact Edda Davidson on 012 751 1901 or 082 956 1944 or Edda.Davidson@engelvoelkers.com
Tshegofatsong Special Needs School for the Severely Handicapped In Mamelodi
Tshegofatsong is a school that cares for children with special needs for the severely handicapped. They need simple games, toys, building blocks and art materials. Visit their website at www.tshegofatsongspecialschool.com. If you would like to make a contribution, please feel free to drop it off at our Faerie Glen Shop located at:
Shop 9, Glen Village South Shopping Centre, Cnr Solomon Mahlangu & Olympus Road, Faerie Glen or contact Edda Davidson on 012 751 1901 or 082 956 1944 or Edda.Davidson@engelvoelkers.com
Lethabong Early Learning Centre
Lethabong early learning centre offers services to children, adoption services, child development centers, foster care, includes infant care centers and nurseries. They require games and toys for pre-school children, art materials, balls, skipping ropes and puzzles. If you would like to make a contribution, please feel free to drop it off at our Faerie Glen Shop located at:
Shop 9, Glen Village South Shopping Centre, Cnr Solomon Mahlangu & Olympus Road, Faerie Glen or contact Edda Davidson on 012 751 1901 or 082 956 1944 or Edda.Davidson@engelvoelkers.com
For more information, please visit www.nationalguidetorealestate.co.za
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