2019-Jan-29

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We Do It Because We Care

BY ALICA DOMANICKA · MARKETING LEAD · CZECH REPUBLIC AND SLOVAKIA
AND EVA ROSIPALOVA · MARKETING LEAD · EASTERN EUROPE

More than 15,000 children live in orphanages in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. While their biggest dream is to be part of a loving family, they have many smaller dreams that can be realized with help from those who care.

Throughout the year, we support nonprofit organizations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. We focus on kids without families, kids who live in orphanages. Inspired by Cisco’s “Bridge to Possible” campaign, we wanted to make an even bigger impact by connecting affected children with people at Cisco and beyond. We wanted to let their voice be heard through the magic of art and encourage others to help them at the same time.

Between Hope and Joy, There’s a Bridge

During the holiday season, we engaged with Czech nonprofit organization Radost detem (“Joy for Kids”) and helped organize a pre-Christmas afternoon for 600 children from orphanages and children with severe diseases.

The afternoon was full of fun and games, and the kids created a large painting using the “Bridge to Possible” as the central theme. They were led by famous Czech pop-art painter Josef Rataj.

The painting became a main visual for a 2019 calendar that Cisco customers and partners in the Czech Republic could give as a Christmas gift.

The goal was to generate donations to the orphanage we have been supporting in the Czech Republic, FOD Klokanek.

The painting was also placed on the Klok Art website as another way to help the orphanage.

In addition to the Czech event, we hosted 30 kids from two orphanages at our Cisco office in Bratislava, Slovakia, collaborating with Bubble, another nonprofit organization.

Employees’ children were invited to attend the event, and all the kids enjoyed an afternoon magic show and took part in an art workshop with well-known artist Marian Komacek.

The art workshop in Bratislava produced 30 original paintings by the kids, and they were used to create another Bridge to Possible calendar. Like in the Czech Republic, the calendars were used as Christmas gifts for our top customers and partners in Slovakia, while encouraging them to provide additional support to the orphaned kids.

As part of both events, we also raised money to provide each of the kids with Christmas presents.

Why did we do it? Because we care!

By bridging kids without families with employees at Cisco, we wanted them to have access to something that can broaden their perspectives and positively impact their lives. The children’s calendars underscored the importance of helping those in need and building bridges to possible.

We were all reminded again that bringing joy has a strong multiplying effect both on those being helped and on those who help. It doesn’t take a miracle — it’s all within ourselves.

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