Young people in the São Mateus district of São Paulo in southeast Brazil will have an opportunity to gain marketable skills in information and communications technology that will help them succeed in the workplace.
Their communities should also benefit from a US$ 200,000 donation by Travelport. Travelport employees around the world, supported by the company, raised the money for this donation as part of their ‘Travelport Cares’ initiative.
This donation will support a unique program called Garagem Digital (the Digital Garage) which teaches, motivates and inspires children to learn more about using computers, the Internet and marketing communications skills that they can use in their everyday lives.
The participants will also learn to utilize local resources to develop and implement projects that address critical needs of the communities in which they live.
"Travelport is a passionate company with passionate and caring employees. We believe that helping others in need goes beyond everyday business practices; it is a responsibility to humanity and an opportunity to rebuild hope," says Ken Esterow, president and CEO, Business Group, Americas, Travelport.
"Our employees gave personally to our Travelport Cares Campaign which was created to benefit the Garagem Digital program, and the company matched each donation that was given dollar-for-dollar."
A special check presentation ceremony will take place in São Paulo, Brazil, on Tuesday, Oct. 17 at Anhembi-Morumbi from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Representatives from Travelport, the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Fundação Abrinq will be on-hand, as well as students from the local Garagem Digital program.
Utilizing the skills they have learned at Garagem Digital, the students will be paired with Travelport employees to participate in a fun and educational activity focusing on the travel and tourism industry.
"IYF believes that building multi-sector partnerships is the most effective strategy to mobilize the necessary resources and community support for programs that improve the lives of young people," says William S. Reese, president and CEO of the International Youth Foundation.
"So we are extremely pleased to join Travelport and Fundação Abrinq as we work together to ensure Brazilian youth gain the technology and life skills they need to join the workforce of the 21st century."
According to IYF, Brazil’s children face some serious social and economic challenges. It is estimated that 7 to 8 million Brazilian children live and or work on the streets, one third of Brazil’s children are illiterate, and 1.8 million children between the ages of 7 and 14 in Brazil do not attend school.
"The Garagem Digital Program, developed by Fundação Abrinq in a partnership with the HP Institute, promotes digital inclusion, contributing to the education of young people and their communities through the use of information and communication technology," said Sandra Faria, executive director of Fundação Abrinq.
"The success of this campaign comes from the generosity of our employees and the desire to restore hope for children in need," adds Esterow. "We are proud that our efforts will help brighten the future for children participating in the Garagem Digital program!"
Travelport is one of the world’s largest and most geographically diverse travel companies. They have offices in more than 130 countries and operate over 20 leading brands, including Orbitz, an online travel agency; Galileo, a global distribution system (GDS); and GTA, a wholesaler of global travel content.
International Youth Foundation
IYF believes young people possess the power to shape the future. To learn, work, thrive and lead, they need access to programs and resources that inspire and challenge them. IYF is a global nonprofit organization that makes this possible.
Today in 70 countries, IYF collaborates with businesses, governments and civil society organizations that share a common desire to improve the life conditions and prospects of young people.
Together, IYF and its partners build effective, sustainable and scalable programs that positively impact the lives of young people worldwide.
Abrinq Foundation
Fundação Abrinq is a non-profit organization, created in 1990, in response to the concerns of a group of businessmen connected with the Brazilian Association of Toy Manufacturers (ABRINQ) with regard to the situation of childhood in Brazil.
Guided by the International Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN, 1989), by the Brazilian Federal Constitution (1988) and by the Statute of Children and Youth – ECA (1990), their activities are based on values of ethics, transparency, diversity, autonomy and independence.
During its 15 years of operations, Fundação Abrinq has benefited almost 1 million children and adolescents through its programs.
