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Roche Children’s Walk

Empowering communities. Transforming futures.

The Roche Children’s Walk is our largest employee-driven fundraising event, dedicated to empowering communities and transforming the futures of children around the world. In 2025, we are proud to present the 22nd edition of this impactful initiative, which has grown from a pilot project into Roche’s flagship employee engagement and philanthropic event.

Since its inception in 2003, over 350,000 Roche employees have raised more than CHF 25 million to support children’s projects in over 75 countries. This collective effort has provided critical funding for over 1,000 initiatives focusing on education, nutrition, primary healthcare, and social development.

The Children’s Walk 2025 official date is on 16 June 2025, and we are determined to make this a record-breaking year, with even greater participation and donations to benefit children in need.

Why we do it

At Roche, we believe every child deserves a chance to unlock their potential and achieve a brighter future. Through the legally independent charity Roche Employee Action and Charity Trust (Re&Act), we partner with trusted non-governmental organizations like UNICEF, the Roger Federer Foundation, and Child’s Dream. Together, we support local initiatives that empower communities to create lasting change for thousands of children worldwide.

Impact highlights

  • 950 orphans and young adults have been supported through care and education by Selam Children's Village.

  • More than 430,000 children have benefitted from educational programmes across Ethiopia, Malawi, Nepal and the Philippines with UNICEF.

  • 8,000 children have benefitted from new classrooms, computer labs or scholarships in Cambodia with Child’s Dream.

  • 168,000 children have been enrolled in the School Readiness Initiative by the Roger Federer Foundation.

Every donation made by Roche employees is matched by the company, doubling the impact of our collective efforts.

For more information on Re&Act,

2024 Achievements

In 2024, the Roche Children’s Walk united employees across the globe in an inspiring show of solidarity:

  • 124 sites participated across 61 countries.

  • More than 18,000 employees joined the Walk.

  • Together, we raised CHF 1.2 million, making a real difference in the lives of children and their communities.

  • our Children's Walk 2024 video, which highlights the remarkable impact achieved by Roche colleagues through their collective efforts.

Our ambassadors

Each year, a select group of Roche Children’s Walk Ambassadors experiences the life-changing impact of Re&Act-supported projects firsthand. From visiting schools built by Child’s Dream in Cambodia to seeing the Roger Federer Foundation’s and ActionAid’s programs in Ethiopia and Malawi, these ambassadors represent the heart of Roche’s commitment to creating positive change.

To date, over 120 ambassadors have witnessed the power of our collective efforts and returned to inspire their colleagues with stories of hope and transformation.

Join us in 2025

Let’s continue this journey of empowerment and transformation. The Children’s Walk 2025 is an opportunity for all of us to come together and make a difference for children around the globe. Whether you walk, fundraise, or support in other ways, your contributions matter. It’s All about impact!

Together, we can empower communities and transform futures. Let’s walk for a brighter tomorrow.

Here are some examples of fundraising done by the affiliates.

Ghana
In 2023 - Roche Ghana targeted Samsam Presby MA Basic School in Accra's suburbs to enhance its educational resources, leading to the renovation of the kindergarten block and provision of essential learning materials. Their engagement improved the school's infrastructure but also significantly boosted the morale and learning experience of the students.
Algeria
Employees organized several activities to raise funds for a local orphanage during the Children’s Walk 2022.
Morocco
Employees reconnected in person on a volunteering day at the Anaïs Moroco foundation. They managed to do some practical activities like re-building tables, cooking and playing with children with mental disabilities.
Ivory Coast
Employees walked with children ,spent a day with the children and made donations to support the Children’s Walk initiative.
Tunisia, Tunis
Employees walked together to the supported orphanage and handed in person the collected donations
Kenya, Nairobi
Visit of the supported Pediatric Ward 3B at Kenyatta National Hospital
South Africa, Cape Town
Raising funds for local community beneficiaries Lawrence house and Zonnebloem Cottage Foster Home (part of HomeFromHome)
Indonesia
In 2023 - Celebrating cultural performances and raising crucial funds for children with Thalassemia, the Indonesian team embodied the spirit of community and compassion.
Singapore
In 2023 - Participants embarked on a 5km walk while engaging their minds with a "Quiz-for-a-Cause" competition, cleverly integrating physical activity with fundraising efforts.
Shanghai
In 2023 - Shanghai celebrated 20 years of RoCW by uniting employees online and offline, raising funds, and sending messages of hope to children in need. Over 150 employees enjoyed an on-campus carnival while 1,000+ virtually sent messages, making a difference for a local charity.
Lebanon
In 2023 - The hike and fundraising event was organized to support a local NGO in Lebanon that facilitates access to education for underprivileged students by covering all their educational expenses. This initiative successfully brought people together for a noble cause, emphasizing community involvement and aid for children's education.
Vietnam
Employees participated in a walk together and in flea market activities in order to engage people to support Re&Act and their local association.
Turkey, Istanbul
For the first time all employees from headquarters and the sales team came together during two days of fundraising.
Iran, Pars, Tehran
For the first time all divisions came together to raise funds
Pakistan, Karachi
Support of orphans to get proper shelter, healthcare, education and protection
India, Mumbai
Development of a volunteering team
Myanmar, Yangon
Dia and pharma participated together to fundraise for a charity which builds wells in the central dry zone of Myanmar bringing clean water to local people
Malaysia, Subang Jaya
Organised a T-shirt competition, the winning design was printed on T-shirts and sold to employees to raise funds
Malaysia, Petaling Jaya
Walking as one team supporting children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)
Singapore, Diabetes Care Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
Every little effort counts - supporting a local charity
Vietnam
Held a whole day of events which included singing and dancing. More employees participated than ever before.
Seoul, South Korea
Walked to raise funds for the Korean Association for prevention of child abuse and neglect
Indonesia, Jakarta
Raised funds for a shelter home for children with rare diseases.
China, Shanghai, DIA
Happy and inspired by walking together with the children they have been supporting for many years.
China, Suzhou
Employees organised a full day of sports games and invited 10 special children from their local charity to participate.
Japan, Diagnostics K.K.
We sold the original RoCW items and sweets made by the intellectually disabled people workshop
Australia, North Ryde
Employees had a fun filled day full of enthusiasm which included a raffle, an enjoyable walk through the beautiful Lane Cove National Park in Sydney.
Australia, Sydney
Local beneficiary NGO joined the event and reported on the impact of the funds received.
Australia, Sydney
Their route took in the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, in the winter sun. Senior managers then cooked a barbecue for participants.
New Zealand
Support local NGO to provide essential items for children being placed in foster care.
Spain
In 2023 - Roche Spain organized an Olympic-style event with various games, engaging over 200 employees in activities alongside over 60 children with mental disabilities, in collaboration with the A LA PAR Foundation to support and integrate individuals with disabilities. Additionally, they funded a digital skills training course for more than 30 students, enhancing their digital competencies and future prospects.
Belgium
In 2023 - Roche Belgium engaged in a series of fundraising activities including a 20 km run in Brussels, a dessert buffet, a hot dog lunch, and sales of old IT equipment and employee-made crafts, coupled with insights from Peggy Grüninger about the Re&Act program during their Townhall, enhancing colleague participation in the Children's Walk and other initiatives.
Finland
The Finnish OneRoche Pharma & Dia Team members got together in small local teams around our country for the Children's walk on June 16th.
United Kingdom
Employees held a costume competition as part of their walk
France, Diabetes Care
Support of an association which takes care of children with autism.
Switzerland, Pharma Basel
Charity concert to raise funds for Children's Walk projects around the globe.
Hungary, Budapest
Walkin with the children from Pető Institute
Slovenia
Held a 'Roche CW auction' where employees donated items that were then offered to employees at auction.
Bulgaria, Sofia
Helped five children without families to continue their education, get a degree and strive for better life.
Italy, Monza
Employees organised an auction to raise funds for a charity which coaches children with spina bifida to develop their individual autonomy.
US Tucson/Marana
In 2023 - Engaging all colleagues early to walk and celebrate unity for the 20 Years
Genentech
Employees took part in a healthy competition through our employees' steps challenge. Teams were formed to walk together. They had a delightful and fun walk with strong participation. This event was a great addition to their Genentech Gives Back week.
United States, Pleasanton, CA
Employees baked some beautiful Children’s Walk themed cakes.
United States, Innovation Centre New York
Employee-Ambassador presentation to raise awarenees and engage employees to participate and raise funds.
Mexico, Mexico City
At this event, among the participants were Melissa and Uriel, two children who could fulfill their dream to get to know the beach and this could be done thanks to the contribution of all the donations
Puerto Rico, Ponce
Organised a sport appreciation day to raise funds for a charity which provides tutoring services for children in the community.
Colombia
Employees gathered for a fun day of fundraising while playing traditional Colombian children's games and having a concert by kids from the "Fundacion Batuta", their locally supported NGO.
Ecuador, Quito
Employees from pharma, dia and dc enjoyed a picnic after their walk.
Peru
Employees participated in a walk outside together as well as fun games indoors like table football.
Brazil
A very talented local artist made a work of art especially for Children's Walk 2020 to be raffled to employees.
Brazil, São Paulo
The 'Fest Junina' charity party with food, games, dance and typical music uniting all employees and raising money.
Brazil, São Paulo
Employees have supported the campaign for years but in 2019 they held the walk event for the first time with great success.
Argentina, Buenos Aires
Employees volunteering at the local NGO and the beneficary children play a concert
Argentina, Buenos Aires
A fun 'Toy Factory' with the local NGO, Fundacion SI Argentina, and volunteers
Uruguay, Montevideo
Roche employees and teenagers from local NGO sang together as a choir at the event
Uruguay, Montevideo
Employees baked every week for weekly breakfasts to raise funds to refurbish facilities of a local NGO for study workshops. Urubopa, Uruguay, Bolivia and Paraguay walked virtually together on October 31. They held many different activities including a virtual cooking event

Our partners

Re&Act ensures responsible and effective use of the donations. Re&Act supports children’s projects in developing countries with experienced and trustworthy non-governmental organisations such as:

Child's Dream Foundation is a charitable non-profit organization founded by Daniel Siegfried and Marc Jenni in 2003. The foundation is dedicated to empowering marginalised children, youth and communities in the Mekong Sub-Region of Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia.

Founded in 1946 and mandated by the United Nations General Assembly and guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF advocates for the protection of children's rights, helps children across the world meet basic needs and expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. Working in 190 countries and territories to translate the commitment to the wellbeing of children into practical action, UNICEF focuses special efforts on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

Selam Children’s Village is a non-governmental, non-profit making organization which provides care and support to orphan children in Ethiopia, so that they holistically develop and become self-reliant. Selam Children’s Village provides quality education in its educational institutions, Technical and Vocational College which benefits the orphans and youths and the surrounding community.

The Roger Federer Foundation (RFF) is a charitable Foundation. It works with carefully selected local organisations in long-term partnerships. It supports the development of individual skills, searches for innovative solutions and acts in a targeted way in order to improve the children’s situation over the long term. The involvement is concentrated on a few chosen countries in Africa and in Switzerland.

Re&Act is supporting a school readiness initiative in 19 rural communities in Malawi.

ActionAid is a global federation working for a world free from poverty and injustice. Working with some of the poorest and most remote parts of Malawi, their grassroots engagements tackle the wider problems that lead to poverty. They help people to claim their rights; such as land rights, women's rights, and the right to education. Re&Act is supporting a school readiness initiative in 19 rural communities in Malawi.