Roche Children’s Walk 2018
Let’s go!
At Roche, we believe that children in need everywhere deserve a helping hand towards a brighter future. That's why, on 14 June 2018, our employees around the world will join forces for the annual Roche Children's Walk.
Since the first company walk in 2003, more than 220,000 Roche employees have raised over CHF 17 million in donations to be used for children’s projects around the world. Last year, 142 sites in 70 countries participated in the Walk - our company’s signature employee project.
Why we do it
At Roche sites around the world, employees raise awareness and funds for the children most in need of support, and the company matches all contributions 1:1. Money raised goes to initiatives related to education, nutrition, primary healthcare and social development.
Globally, funds are channelled through the Roche Employee Action and Charity Trust (Re&Act), a legally independent charity. Re&Act partners with a variety of non-governmental organisations to support children’s programmes in developing countries, such as in Malawi, Ethiopia, Nepal and the Philippines.
Roche Children’s Walk efforts support long-term, sustainable change. For example, Re&Act has supported projects in Malawi since 2003 by constructing schools, classrooms and orphan centres; supporting university and college graduates; and providing food and clean water.
Impact since the 2017 Roche Children’s Walk
1+
children’s projects supported around the world
7300
children in Ethiopia benefited from early childhood education programme
5
orphan homes supported in Ethiopia
2000
children in Malawi supported through early childhood development centres
80
students in Kenya granted secondary school scholarships
We are proud of the impact we have made on individual lives, but we know there is much more to do. Many more children are still in need. For more information about projects supported and efforts of Re&Act, visit our website.
Our participants
In 2018, the Roche tradition continues. Employees in more than 70 countries are organising a fundraising campaign to improve the lives of children in developing countries and those closer to home.
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Every contribution makes a difference in a child’s life. Our contributions are being used to support projects in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which makes us part of a larger effort toward making the world a better place.
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What moves me in particular is the strong will of the children supported by Roche Children’s Walk. Even if they have a difficult environment, they want to study. Education can change lives and futures.
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The success of the childhood development projects is the sustainable approach - with full commitment of the local communities including parents and caregivers. Helping people to find their own solution is certainly the best way to act in a long-term perspective.
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“Zikomo” was the most frequent word I heard in Malawi. It means “thank you” in Chichewa. I felt an overwhelming sense of recognition and gratitude that can only encourage us to do more!
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I have never seen such poverty, while at the same time I have never seen such hope. Everyone we met in Malawi shared with us their hope for the future and for their children.
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It is not about raising or donating a certain amount, it's about being aware, getting involved and supporting the cause. The Roche Children's Walk isn't limited to colleagues, but you can involve your community of friends and family as well.
Join us
If you are a Roche employee, you can register at your affiliate to take part in the Children's Walk, or sponsor a colleague.
Here are some examples of the great fundraising events and projects that have been supported by our affiliates.
How to donate
If you are not employed at Roche, you can support the Roche Children's Walk too. You are welcome to dedicate your funds by sponsoring a Roche employee you know. Simply contact them or go to our website to make a donation.
Roche Children's Walk is managed by Corporate Donations & Philanthropy and organised locally by affiliates worldwide. Roche covers all expenses so that no donations are spent on administrative or fundraising costs.
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:
ActionAid Malawi
ActionAid Malawi is a non-governmental national development organisation that was founded in Malawi in 1990. It is a member of the South Africa-based international federation of more than 40 national ActionAid organisations. While supported by this network, ActionAid Malawi is an entirely local non-governmental organisation that operates and makes its decisions independently and is managed exclusively by local employees. It is focused on fighting poverty and is active in 12 of Malawi's 28 districts. ActionAid Malawi specialises in helping rural and particularly isolated areas through long-term programmes. Involving local communities and fostering their sense of ownership are a particular focus of its work and part of its consistent approach. In its role as a consultant to the Malawian government, ActionAid Malawi gives this often marginalised segment of the population a voice in the capital city of Lilongwe.
Our collaboration with Action Aid Malawi is made possible through a partnership with the Roger Federer Foundation, which has a broader comprehensive early childhood initiative in Malawi.
For more information, please visit the ActionAid Malawi website.
UNICEF
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
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.
For more information, please visit the Selam Children’s Village website.
Aiducation International
Aiducation International is a non-profit/for-impact organisation founded in 2007 focusing on education by providing merit-based secondary school scholarships to bright students from disadvantaged backgrounds in developing countries such as Kenya and the Philippines.
For more information, please visit the Aiducation International website.