Who are Alchemy World ?
Alchemy World is an Ethiopian NGO, founded by Carlo Tortora-Brayda di Belvedere in the early 1990’s. Ethiopia is situated in the horn of Africa and with its population of 79 Million people- is currently the second most populous nation in Africa.
Alchemy World empowers young people in East Africa to acquire skills which enable them to own a business of their own and become financially self-sufficient. Alchemy World also run Farmer Training courses, as well as Computer and Business skills for women. The name Alchemy comes from the word "Transformation" - a powerful method of change which is obviously quite fitting given its goals.
In addition to the programmes for young entrepreneurs, they have taken up the responsibility of supporting the communities which their students live in. They provide medical care, water and sanitation, emergency food aid and solar power energy.
Through a nationwide network of 100 entrepreneurship centres within the next 15 years, Alchemy World aims to enable 150 000 young people from extremely poor backgrounds to create their own mid-sized businesses. This will in turn generate 3 million quality jobs and boost Ethiopia's export revenue by an incremental $50 billion USD.
How is Martinez & Partners involved ?
Paul Martinez, the founder of Martinez & Partners, discovered this charity. In December 2008, Paul travelled to Ethiopia and saw first hand what a desperate state the Country was in having to rely on farming as its main source of revenue and being held completely at the mercy of the climate to make this a success.
Paul’s trip was arranged by a young lady who had recently graduated from one of the schools set up by Alchemy World Projects and had opened her own Travel Agency business. Paul was stunned just how well the tour was organised and especially by the onus the Tour Operator put on doing what ever was required to keep her clients happy, drawing parallels with the values held by Martinez & Partners.
Paul Martinez and Jonathan Evans (current M.D) have been searching for a charity to support for some time and Paul’s experience in Ethiopia coupled with Jonathan’s child hood growing up in Africa meant that Alchemy World provided Martinez & Partners with a perfect cause.
As such Alchemy World is now the chosen charity of Martinez & Partners for 2009. The Company has donated £10,000 and hopes to be able to assist with further fund raising and support during the rest of the year.
Click Here for more information on Alchemy World Projects.
“Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”
