The latest solidarity initiative undertaken by Finmeccanica involves looking
after children in Kenya as part of a tangible commitment for responsible
participation in world causes, while at the same time focusing on its business
activities.
The opportunity began with the sound of music at the Christmas concert, the
traditional event where all the members of the Finmeccanica team exchange
greetings for the festive season.
This year, besides the music of the Toscanini Symphonic Orchestra under the
baton of conductor Lorin Maazel, the concert provided an occasion to launch a
charity auction, carried out online, in which thirteen Christmas cribs by the
Neapolitan craftsmen Giuseppe and Mario Ferrigno were sold to collect funds for
Watoto Kenya, the Italian non-profit organization that works in Africa to aid
the most needy children.
Food, lodging and medical assistance (and importantly, education) make up the
Watoto Kenya enterprise. Its basic purpose, in addition to offering aid, is to
generate self-sufficiency: a "vision" that is beginning to bear fruit,
as demonstrated by the recent news that the first student has obtained a
university degree with the assistance of the Italian non-profit
organization.
Concrete action, imagination and accountability are definitely the criteria
of an association whose aim is not to spend any money here in Italy, only
abroad. Everyone in this part of the world is asked to give a small part of
their earnings to help others. Sixty euros (the association fee) will provide a
pair of shoes, a school uniform, a desk and the teaching materials for the
primary school - and also health care.
The figures give an idea of a commitment that has born fruit. Today the
Makobeni Project, for example, consists of an orphanage that takes care of 55
children while another 35, including older ones, are assisted during their
further studies. The funds, in addition to the fees, come from donations,
charity sales, the sale of the association's T-shirts and participation in
initiatives such as this one.
"If we only dream," say the people of Watoto Kenya, "it remains a
dream. If many people dream, it's the beginning of reality." Finmeccanica
wants to make its contribution so that this dream can become a path to be
followed.
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