2015 marks Passerelles numériques’ 10 years of actions and fulfilment. In order to celebrate this anniversary, to gather and thank all the ones who made this adventure possible, a party was organized in Paris, on September 21, with the great support of Accenture.
About 150 people, partners, volunteers, donors and friends of PN joined this event at « La Belleviloise », a historical Parisian place, dedicated to culture and all kinds of artistic and social expressions and experiments.
This event took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere. It was the opportunity to have a look back at the early days of Passerelles numériques, thanks to the testimonial of 2 co-founders of the project, Christine Lortholary, President of Enfants du Mékong, and Bernard Le Masson, President of the Accenture France Foundation, followed by a short video showing PN’s results and impact.
Then, to everyone’s surprise, 3 comedians from the theater troupe « Théâtre à la Carte » arrived on stage to tell the story of Passerelles numériques in a humoristic and unexpected way.
Christine Lortholary, President of Enfants du Mékong
Bernard Le Masson, President of the Accenture France Foundation
Comedians from the theater troupe « Théâtre à la Carte »
Hélène Huard-Gayomali, Passerelles numériques Philippines’ General Manager, was also there and shared her experience and daily life on the field, in Cebu, with the audience:
“I arrived just a few months after the beginning of the project. We were 5 staff, we had 25 youth to look after, all of us in a family house; one room for boys, two rooms for girls, one for the volunteers. I had to go thought a computer room to take a cold bucket shower, students were using charcoal to cook, we thought the house was haunted, the owner couldn’t stand any noise, the University teachers’ absenteeism rate exceeded 50%, none of the companies would believe in paid internships… it was certainly not going to be an easy adventure! And I guess this is why I stayed. Because the challenge was real!”
After a few concluding words from Benoit Génuini, Passerelles numériques’ President, the event went on with a buffet. The guests shared with some emotion their memories and anecdotes related to their support to PN across the years.
We truly thank Accenture and « La Bellevilloise » without whom we wouldn’t have been able to organize this event. On behalf of our students and alumni, thank you to everyone for your great support during the past 10 years!
Click here to watch a message from the field to your attention.