March 9, 2009

 

Thanks to the generosity of the sponsors and guests at the 2009 HOPE Galas in Nagoya and Osaka (March 6th and 7th), the lives of the Nhov family in Pursat, Cambodia (see below) will be positively transformed by gaining access to clean, safe water.

 

A record breaking 21.5 million yen was raised at the two events earlier this month. The Osaka event, in partnership with the Ritz Carlton Hotel and under the chairmanship of Paul Dupuis, set a new standard last year by reaching the ten million yen mark and following up its success by raising over ten million yen this year. The Nagoya Gala, in partnership with the Hilton Hotel and under the chairmanship of Harry Hill, challenged by Osaka’s great success raised 11.5 million yen this year.

 

"I am not sure I understand why we are seeing record giving," commented Lowell Sheppard, Asia Pacific Director for HOPE International, "but it may be that in times of suffering and  fear of potential suffering, that people are more sensitive to those who are suffering more than themselves and dig a little deeper.  One thing for sure, lives will be transformed for the better as a result of this outpouring of generosity."

 

In addition to a great line up of artists, a special appearance by Billy Blanks of the famous Boot Camp fitness DVDs and fine food HOPE premiered a special video: Water; the video can be viewed on HOPE's youtube channel: hopewaterjp.

 

The next HOPE Charity Dinner and Auction is to be held on April 17th in partnership with the Hilton Tokyo.

 

Click to enlarge images.

Nhov is one of many families in Cambodia on the waiting list for a HOPE well. Her daily life is fairly typical of all families needing clean water. Nhov has 6 children, her husband works mostly in the jungle for other people to exchange rice to eat. Nhov and her two older children work planting rice, clearing land or cutting wood in the jungle. When they are short of rice they eat wild potato and bamboo shoot. Nhov wants to make her land green but it is impossible because of no water. When they are not working for others Nhov and her children clear their own land, hoping that when they get water they can start growing. Currently their water source is a small stream nearby, but during the dry season they must walk a long distance to get water to drink and grow.

Eat at selected restaurants at the Hilton Nagoya, Hilton Osaka and Hilton Tokyo, and 5% of your bill is donated to HOPE. Plus... WIN two business-class tickets from Japan to the US, courtesy of United Airlines.
Each time you attend a HOPE at the Hilton week event or eat in one of the selected restaurants you will be entered into a the week long raffle.

 

To join into any of the following HOPE at the Hilton week activities or if you have any questions, please contact us at info@hope.or.jp or phone 052 204 0530

Hear Bill Werlin, of Patagonia speak on: The Social Enterprise Space: A 21st Century Business Model where Corporate and Non-Profit Sectors Meet

In cooperation with the ISS (International Social Service). Hear Patricia Bader Johnston, Former Director of Communications for IBM and VP of Goldman Sachs speak on this interesting subject. This event will be bilingual.

Hear Jon Sparks, seasoned adventurer and corporate leader speak on the importance of giving back locally and globally.