EMBA'10 class project benefits South African not-for-profit organization

As part of their Global Business Project, the Vancouver-A team members of EMBA’10 travelled to South Africa last year to develop a strategic operating plan for Tomorrow Trust, a South Africa-based NGO. The Trust’s mandate is to provide meaningful and sustainable intervention in the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children by way of educational and psychosocial programs. During their visit, the team met many children whose lives have been devastated as a result of the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the region.

Team members Johanna Navas,Cameron Copeland, Attila Hajdu, Christopher Lythgo and Jogi Nijjar were so moved by the plight of these children that they decided to launch a fundraising campaign in support of the Tomorrow Trust. They solicited donations and organized two auctions that took place at the closing banquets of the summer ’09 residential sessions in Kingston. Donations from their classmates and faculty included a fly fishing trip in BC, the rental of a Porsche, and consulting services courtesy of professors Ken Wong, Peter Richardson and Douglas Reid. The auctions raised more than $33,000.

“This may have started out as an MBA assignment, but it’s no exaggeration to say that our Global Business Project’s trip to South Africa was a life-changing experience,” says Johanna. “We hope to continue using the tools and skills that the MBA taught us for the betterment of the world and especially communities in need.”