Brazil Global Challenge 2011

65 dedicated employees from 34 different countries have teamed up in Brazil for this demanding event to raise funds for Save the Children. Half the group will be taking on a tough 71km trek through the mountainous Chapada Diamantina region. The others will be volunteering on a community project to renovate and transform crèche facilities and services used by vulnerable young children in Petrolina.

Every day we will share with you the experiences of our challengers currently working on the crèche facilities in Petrolina.

Crèche – Joao Paulo I

My name is Mmalorato Mabaso, NPS Manager for Reckitt Benckiser South Africa.

My experience with Save The Children community challenge can be summed up in just one sentence – “Reckitt Benckiser multi national employees come together to save the children,”

I used to think I understood the word diversity when I referred to diverse in the context of my beautiful country – South Africa. Coming to Petrolina – a remote village in Brazil has changed my understanding of the word in a broad way. RB challengers have come from every corner of the world – South Africa, Australia, Mexico, Dubai, US, UK  and every where you can think of.

The passion, commitment, team spirit and the energy is awesome. The thirteen to thirty hours of travel did not dampen our spirit. The team came together with one goal in mind. To bring hope to children.

This was observed in the way in which despite hard labour and unfavourable weather – everyone persisted in finishing the tasks on hand. The day started with group being split into two teams. The Joao Paulo team was amazing.

Different emotions and reactions were observed when the co-ordinator gave a brief review of the state that the crèche was in before the project started. That even fuelled the passion to over deliver on the project.

A welcome note was done by the Secretary of education and she expressed her appreciation for what the team was about to do.

After a brief review of what had to be done for the day, everyone got their hands and feet dirty. The tasks on hand were weeding, sanding, digging and painting.

Oh what a memorable experience.

Creche -Padre Zequinha

My name is Martin Ridgers. I work at RB Nottingham in the UK. I have a 6yr old daughter. Taking up this challenge and helping to change the lives of children of a similar age to my daughter is very rewarding.

Today was our first day working on the crèches. As we arrived there was a little apprehension between the challengers. Not knowing what to expect perhaps. What was immediately obvious was the poor area which the crèches are situated in. The difference our work was going to make to the children cannot be exaggerated. After a quick guide around the crèche we all got straight to work. We were all really eager to start and got off at a quick pace, quickly realising that if we were going to last the duration in the heat and humidity, then we would need to slow down a little. Work was plentiful and we all worked brilliantly as a team. (The RB way of course!).

From my experience, this first day was a real eye opener as to just how much we take for granted. Everyone appreciates the work we are doing in the crèches, it makes it feel that bit more special knowing you’re making a real difference. We even got free coffee from a local supermarket next to the crèche. A small gesture perhaps, but a very humbling one!

We all returned to the hotel weathered, dirty and sweaty…. A good days’ work I’d say!

Martin