Big thank you to Western Union and its partners.
The charity was approached by Cynthia Wee of Western Union in December 2005 as they had heard about our efforts and wanted to support us as their nominated non government agency during an Asian partner summit they were holding in Phuket during February 2006.
Various conversations ensued the outcome of which was an invitation by Western Union for the charity to present at the summit, and for Eduardo to participate in a charity auction giving bidders the chance to name their own boat as a good way to raise money for the charity.
Eduardo also suggested that he arrange for one of the boats the charity had donated to be mounted within the hotel complex where the summit was being held as a centrepiece during the gala dinner. In addition Western Union invited the Thai co-founders of the charity Chairat Wahap, and Nine Janyasari and the fishing family who's boat was being shown to also attend.
At the summit start Eduardo met with Cynthia Wee Corporate Communications Manager and Angela Heng, Director of Communications APAC, and was immediately struck by the enthusiasm and commitment both Cynthia and Angela had for the work the charity was doing.
"Their commitment and excitement at helping us was wonderful to experience" he said. "They also explained that the employees of Western Union had already raised enough money for one boat, they hoped to raise enough money during the summit for three or four more via their Asian partners. Angela then introduced me to Luella Chavez D'Angelo, president of The First Data Western Union Foundation, who had flown out to Phuket to support our charity and who upon meeting me pledged to 100% gift match whatever money was raised during the event, what was a very generous gesture." he added.
On the night of the gala dinner following Eduardo's presentation, Ian K. Marsh, senior vice president and managing director, Western Union Financial Services Asia Pacific hosted the auction, but took the rather unorthodox approach of asking his audience that instead of bidding, people should simply volunteer to sponsor a boat so in the short time available they could get as close to the 20 boats the charity was looking for.
"The outcome was incredible" Eduardo explains. "As soon as Ian asked for volunteers, he was inundated with offers. Within 10 minuets enough money had been pledged for 15 boats by Western Union partners from all over Asia, and Western Union staff. Luella then agreed to match it with a foundation gift, so the end result was 32 boats.
I was overwhelmed. I had told Angela that one more boat would have been a bonus, but to get 32 was beyond my wildest dreams".
Following the auction, Eduardo and Chairat visited the areas where fishermen were still desperate for boats, and had vetted 26 candidates successfully. They have ordered the first batch of 11 Western Union boats and intend to arrange for many of the Western Union employees and partners who donated the boats to attend an official handing over ceremony as soon as they are all completed. The boat builder has also generously offered to build 11 model long tail boats as gifts for those attending.
During the summit the fishermen who attended met with Eduardo and suggested he consider donating a much larger design of fishing boat.
"This would enable up to six families to share in it. The design of these boats is much more along the conventional fishing trawler aspect we are used to here in Europe". Eduardo explained. As soon as possible he will try and source these boats, which are built in the south of Thailand near the Malaysian border. Western Union have already given this concept their blessing as they see it as a way to improve the fishermens' lives.
On a lighter note, during one of Eduardo's visits to the boat builder, he was presented with a goat, as a thank you from one Muslim community who had received a boat from the charity. The goat has been donated to a local family, who were delighted to find it was pregnant!
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