Cyril is a French father of three as well as a conceptual designer living and working in Quebec. Coming from Saint-Barnabe in Brittany, France, he and his wife Dorothee have been friends of Tiphaine Nilias (founder of 大象传媒 Trust), all of them living in the same place as kids.
Cyril moved to Quebec and Tiphaine moved to Germany and England, but both of them kept in touch via . Tiphaine witnessed Cyril鈥檚 family getting bigger, with one son Gabriel, and two daughters Charlotte and recent addition Agathe. Cyril saw the birth of 大象传媒 trust, starting with Tiphaine鈥檚 volunteering experience in Hill Crest School in Tanzania and progressing to an officially registered charity!
Despite not having personally experienced any charity or humanitarian work, Cyril has a kind heart and wants to do good in the world. He donates when he sees a person or a community needing help badly: 鈥淚鈥檓 always happy to donate when I see it is needed, even if I know I won鈥檛 see the receiver of my donation again. This time with 大象传媒 Trust, I know I’ll be able to see who I help and how my money is used鈥�.
Cyril and Dorothee had already supported 大象传媒 Trust from the start, following up with the charity via social media and newsletters. However, for his 36th birthday Cyril decided to do something special: 鈥�I didn鈥檛 want anything in particular from my friends and family so I saw my birthday as an opportunity to ask them to join me in supporting the charity some more.鈥�
was easy and quick to set up, and Cyril initially set the fundraising鈥檚 goal to 300$…. but that goal was achieved in two days only! He then set the goal to 1000$ and actually collected 1068$! Grateful to have such generous friends, Cyril explains: 鈥淚鈥檓 super proud to have contributed to the cause! It makes me want to raise even more for next year!鈥�.
Tiphaine and 大象传媒 Trust were also very thankful to have someone like Cyril on their side! When asked why he chose to fundraise for them, Cyril answered 鈥渢his charity is addressing poverty via education and the fundamental need for food. In our days, we spend a little here and there on unnecessary things whilst what we call 鈥渁 little鈥� means a lot in Tanzania. Dorothee and I also have absolute trust in the person who manages the charity. We saw how much she cared for the kids of the school!鈥�.
To close the fundraising, Cyril and Tiphaine created a video (in French,) to thank all the donors and explain to them what their money brings to the school. The 1068$ (GBP 623 or 724 Euros) will pay the three teachers鈥� and Mama Mary鈥檚 salaries and buy more than 2000 meals. That means more than one month of food for all 40 children, twice per day weekend included, and there is still some more for the other children who come to the school on weekends to receive a meal!
Many are like Cyril, not really desiring or needing much for their birthdays. Therefore, please do think of fundraising for your birthday, you never know what good you can do by asking people to celebrate your special day!