As part of Marathon Day 2021 – the solidarity run of Bolloré Group – Laurent Ferry, General Manager of Bolloré Logistics UAE, acting on behalf of the employees of the subsidiary, contributed towards student sponsorships which ensured that Manzil students’ education could continue and it would give them an opportunity to ultimately find jobs and lead a life of independence and dignity.
Manzil is a non-profit organisation which focusses on the inclusion of people with disabilities and is based in Sharjah, UAE.
“In the last 17 years of operation Manzil has assisted almost 500 people with disabilities gain access to employment opportunities, seeing nearly 100 secure full-time employments. Our employment programme PRIDE SROI was measured at 1: 6.35, well above the UAE Average of 1: 3.3 and the International best practice average of 1: 4.7. Over 250 corporates and 8000 volunteers have been meaningfully engaged with Manzil activities to achieve our inclusion mission,” says Founder Director Dr Ayesha Husaini.
Marathon Day is a solidarity run created in 2016 on the initiative of Cyrille Bolloré, CEO of the Bolloré Group. Every year, employees around the world run five kilometers on the same day with the same purpose that would benefit charity organisations focussed on youth and education.
This year, the sum raised was divided among the ten countries with the most participants, in support of local organisations working at local level. UAE was thus one of the 10 countries with the highest participation rate to Marathon Day among 85 countries.
“The principle of generosity is written into the DNA of the Bolloré Group and I am happy that, together, we are able to help improve the conditions of these young people with disabilities, to whom we offer job opportunities at the end of their training,” said Philippe Lortal, CEO of Bolloré Logistics for the Middle East and South Asia.
