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In late 2001, employees at Navitaire, a small, global software company, came together around an idea: why couldn’t international companies sponsor something like a “Habitat for Humanity,” this time aimed at educating poor children? If Habitat could create a way for an individual or an organization to help a family own their home, why couldn’t something similar be created for high-quality education? Education is what made them global colleagues. Education was the road out of poverty. Education could bring people together across the biggest global divisions. Employees at Navitaire researched proven educational models and created a detailed business plan. Work began on forming an independent non-profit organization. In early 2003, the pitch for supporting a 3-year pilot class was made to the company’s executive team. The location would be the Philippines, where the company employed nearly 200 people. Led by CEO Mike Dickoff, support was resounding: give it a go! Senior leaders in Manila agreed: employees would rally around an initiative like this. In November 2003, Food for Hungry Minds was incorporated in the United States and the search for local Manila partners began in earnest. The pattern for establishing partnerships was set as links were forged between:
The excitement was expressed in many ways. Company executives visited the Payatas dump site. One employee volunteered, “You know, we only use the upper floor of our house. The school could meet on the other floor.” The American Chamber of Commerce Foundation offered space at cost. In June 2004, 28 children became the first Food for Hungry Minds scholars. In the years that followed, small and large donors signed on, bringing the total enrollment to 75 children in the first, 3-year FHM middle school. After the first school opened, a colleague wondered, “Wouldn’t it be even better to provide opportunities in a province like Bulacan, rather than a depressed urban area?” In June, 2006, a second school opened in this agricultural province, where lead sponsor Cargill operates several major animal feed plants. This time, the children came from a new community in a rice field, informal settlers relocated for a light rail project, far from schools and work. Go ahead! Dare to wonder where the next school will begin!
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