“We should realize how lucky we are, as top players to enjoy ourselves and do the job we love, and we thought it would even be better if, while we have fun, we can also make a small difference for the ones in the need. This is how the idea of SOLIBAD was born” explained Pi Hongyan, recent Bronze medalist in the World Championships, who has been very active since the beginning of the foundation.
“I am happy to be part of Solibad. I will do my very best to contribute to promote the new foundation” said Taufik Hidayat.
“This is a bright idea and there’s lots to be done. It’s also important that Badminton is the first sport that launches such an initiative. I was delighted when Raphael approached me with this idea” added Nathan Robertson, who will be the Ambassador for England.
Koo Kien Keat, who was very moved by the images of the video clip showing Malaysian orphans added: “I will do whatever it takes to help these children. I really want to make a different and we’ll all try our best to contribute to SOLIBAD” said the world’s number one shuttler in men’s double.
“There wasn’t any questions whether I could join SOLIBAD as it really fits my personal values and I believe that we can make a difference in Hong Kong as well” added Zhou Mi.
Have fun AND make a difference
The purpose of this original charity foundation is to bring together the badminton community, from top stars to regular and leisure players and, in a joyful manner, to raise some funds for charity actions worldwide, whether they are badminton related or not. The first two projects of the French based foundation are the help of two orphanages in South East Asia.
“We do believe that we can have fun while raising money for the projects we believe in. Anyone can make a difference in a joyful manner. We all strongly believe that giving is getting and that the badminton community shares that kind of values, from top stars to regular leisure players. And if we all add up a bit of our time and money, we’re ambitious to help a lot of people around the world “ says Sachetat
The French born founder hopes to get everyone on board, to create a unique emulation from a whole sport’s community behind one cause.
“Anyone can help. Top stars have already given us shirts and rackets for auctions, while clubs are already organizing tournaments to raise money, through lottery, asking their participants for a small amount of extra entry fee or all kinds of actions. It has to come from the base to be a success” adds Sachetat
100 % of the fundraising goes to the field
One of the unique features of this newly born foundation is the efficiency of its process, with all fund raised going to the projects themselves, with no administrative costs, which are taken care by SOLIBAD’s partners (Badzine, Badmintonphoto, currently).
“This means that 1 € raised by a small club or given as a donation is 1€ that will go directly to the project, not in transportation fees or paperwork. No waste.” reminds Sachetat, who comes from a history of work in big NGOs and who will be taking the money himself to the projects.
“On top of that, we make sure that the money is well spent with very well bounded projects as we go on site before, during and after the projects." | |
The projects
The first project of SOLIBAD is the material and financial support to an orphanage in Bali, Indonesia, which is being taken care by a local association « CAREFORKIDS BALI with a specific aim at giving education to the orphans in computer science so that they can make a decent living when they leave the orphanage. A set of computers will be bought together with financial support for regular lessons taught by a dedicated teacher to provide extra skills.
A woodcarving and design program is being imagined to teach them special skills that they may use to get a job later and work together with a company close to SOLIBAD that creates badminton trophies and badminton-related jewelry and other items in order to help them to be able to sustain their own needs though selling these products to the badminton community.
Our second project is helping an orphanage in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in which the living conditions of the children are currently a bit difficult – the money they live on comes solely from the business of the pastor in charge, which is recycling plastic from used items. The orphanage still has to wait for a license from the local government to get some financial help. Our goal is to help this orphanage to get by until it gets the license needed to get funding from local authorities.
A last and third project has been launched together with the launch of SOLIBAD Worldwide, in partnership with “Peace and Sport”. The joint project, called “1,000 rackets for Haiti” aims to collect Badminton equipment around the world to help 8 to 20 year-old Haitian youngsters living in survivor camps to overcome their trauma and to resume living together in confidence.
One website for plenty of ideas to help
The launch of SOLIBAD Worldwide on March 12th is combined with the launch of its English speaking website at www.solibad.net. The website features our projects, our philosophy, but also, the amount of money that was given by private donators and clubs, associations. We will also put online exactly what the money is spent on, in a complete transparency – something quite unique in the world of NGOs
Also, online, the ability for everyone to find a way to help, with a section for every different user. Whether you are a leisure player, a representative of a club or federation, or a potential sponsor, with ideas on how you can help SOLIBAD.
Note:
Ambassadors Nathan Robertson, Taufik Hidayat, Koo Kien Keat and Zhou Mi were present at the launch of SOLIBAD, on Friday 12th 2010 at the Jury’s Inn Hotel, Birmingham. Quotes can be sent to medias from these players on simple request at Raphael@solibad.net Please contact Raphael SACHETAT, founder of SOLIBAD on 00 33 (0) 660682504 for details. |