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A trip to Asia
FEBRUARY 2010 -Seeing the result of your donations with your own eyes and benefiting from a field visit to discover new philanthropic opportunities. Beginning of 2010 a couple experienced such a trip when they went for a week to Vietnam and Cambodia accompanied by Maurice Machenbaum, co-founder of wise.
The week was quite busy. Around a dozen meetings were scheduled during which they discovered and discussed about different social projects including programs for handicap children, to help street children and for training young professional from poor families.
The couple, representing a family foundation, was very professional in their engagement. «they were not here to only take photos, they asked many questions and were very avid to learn more and get a better understanding of the situation » affirms Maurice Machenbaum. They were very humble, constantly being receptive and listening to the project managers, without imposing their point of view.»
They both felt the necessity to «find a balance between the demands of reason and the calls from the heart» explains Maurice Machenbaum. Their donations vary between 20'000 and 100'000 swiss francs over a couple of projects. Bigger projects for which they greatly benefit from the expertise brought by wise. And more modest projects, which have seduced them despite some weaknesses.
Their return home has also been enriching. The couple was eager to share their notes and photos with the other foundation members, their children and respective spouses and husbands. Of course they wanted to describe and share their experiences throughout the trip. But they also wanted to brainstorm together, as a family. It is planned that next time the parents will stay at home and the next generation will travel on the field.
© Thierry Parel