2 years later, its a reality!

Hands on Argentina has been implemented successfully during the last two years:

• 2 reading centers built and functioning
• the local community very involved and parents being trained to teach on early education
• 280 children and family members participating

Nico, Carolina and I visited the centers in January 2008, it was a great experience and we where really touched to see all that has been achieved.

We did a short video about this project from the beginning, with the fund-raising race and all, until today showing the building of the centers and our visit. Check it out.



Now we are up for more ... news coming soon!

Cris

Reading Centers Argentina

Here some images of the Centers built and refurbished in Misiones, north of Argentina

A message to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva

Our Hands On Argentina initiative took us Monday morning to the premises of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, where a written appeal containing two messages was handed to WTO’s Deputy Director General Valentine Sendanyoye-Rugwabiza.

The messages were first, that we, potential future business leaders, can create direct positive social impact, in this case by raising funds for an anti-poverty project in Argentina. The funds raised will support LEER, an Argentinean NGO, in building two early childhood learning centers benefiting more than 800 children and 250 families.

Second, that global leaders must revive global trade talks in favor of development, or face growing poverty, increasing instability, and diminishing business opportunities across the world.

The IMD MBA class grouping in front of the WTO building in Geneva on Monday morning.

Ivar Slengesol (Norwegian) delivers our message to WTO's Deputy Director General Valentine Sendanyoye-Rugwabiza...

.. and she more than happily acknowledges the relevance of the initiative:
"We can't fail the poor! Your initiative could not have come in better time! It shows the type of commitment we need to see in future global business leaders"


We then posed for a group picture in front of the WTO building...

... and went for a quick tour inside: No, thanks... we will not take the "Observers" seat!!! We want to do more than that ;-)

Rafael

More Kayaking pictures

Thanks to Cris for providing those pics and comments!

The ultimate filming director. Nico Bruno was on the boat with the swimmers and kayakers. He got soaking wet, but that's all right as long as his camera stayed dry.

Straight from the fjords of Norway, rowing captain Kristine said she will consider the IMD team for the next olympic games.

The end .. the full kayaking team plus support drivers and logistics under the pouring rain in Geneva. Quoting one of our classmates ... the rain and cold made it a real challange ... indeed separating the boys from the men and the girls from the women!

You've heard it a thousand times this year, but this is certainly a well deserved "punch it in" from Mike and Craig.

Bernard showing the latest in fashion...maybe still to bold for the rest.

Kayaking pictures.

Perhaps the most technical part of the challenge, Kayaking was made even more difficult by pouring rain.

Luckily, a relatively safe mode of water transport was on hand to support the Kayakers.

Stefan Edelman had the first flip of the day, but it was not to be the last one.

No, no! Geneva is in the other direction!