May 31st dawned bright and sunny for the annual MAG / Luanda International School Golf Day. Now in its third year, this event was organised by the staff and students of school, which has a tradition of raising funds for good causes in Angola.
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Luanda-based artist Mathu Martin (left), with teachers from Luanda International School at the fundraising event. |
“Given the extent of the landmine problem in Angola, it is natural that we would support MAG’s work,” said Tomi Hirmasto [above, second from left], one of organisers from Luanda International School. “The local business community is aware of the issue and is receptive to supporting this event.”
Eighteen teams competed for a trophy that was specially designed by a locally based artist, Mathu Martin. Each hole was sponsored by a company based in Luanda, as were the refreshments and prizes.
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"People are not always aware of how landmines are still affecting the lives of so many men, women and children in far away provinces like Moxico." - MAG Angola's Everisto Cambembe at the information stand |
One of the sponsors was Pride International, which generously donated funds to MAG for the transportation of some equipment last year. Pride’s Luanda Manager, Stuart Tate, said “We are happy to support MAG’s work because of the essential and excellent work that they do.”
Mari Williams of Baker Hughes also attended the event and learned about MAG’s work from the information stand, with its display of mines, demining tools and Mine Risk Education materials: “It is good to support a cause like this and to be part of it in a small way."
MAG Angola’s Community Liaison Supervisor Everisto Cambembe was among the staff who travelled to Luanda from MAG's operations base in Luena for the event:
“Most of those attending the event want to learn about MAG’s work and the problems with landmines in Angola. People are not always aware of how landmines are still affecting the lives of so many men, women and children in far away provinces like Moxico.”
MAG is intending to use the funds raised from this year’s event for the essential maintenance and repair of machinery used in ground preparation in its work in Moxico, the country's most landmine-affected province.
Use of machines not only increases safety for deminers, but contributes to significantly increasing the speed at which land can be cleared and handed over to communities so that they can live, work and play in a safe and mine-free environment.
MAG Angola would like to thank the Luanda International School for their great effort in organising the Golf Day event, and the sponsors, listed below, for their continued support:
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• Baker Hughes |
• Exxon Mobil |
• SAB Miller |
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The use of machines in the demining process significantly increases the speed at which land can be cleared. |
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Joint winners 'Total' and 'Team Golf Course' with the specially designed perigo minas trophy. |
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The Pride International team. |
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The Luanda International School Parent Teacher Association team. |
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[Photos: MAG Angola and Luanda International School] |
Links:
- MAG Angola microsite - find out more about MAG's work in the country
- Why does MAG work in Angola?
- Click on Tags below for related articles
8 June 09
