1st June 2006
Introducing Emma Knie...
Virgin Unite, the charitable arm of the Virgin Group set up by Sir Richard Branson has organised a trip for staff to help with needy causes in South Africa. Emma is thrilled to have been selected as one of the 10 staff members chosen from Virgin Group companies around the world, to take part in this trip of a lifetime and experience a side of South Africa that tourists rarely see. The trip took place in May from 7th-13th May.
South Africa has huge problems with the high level of HIV infections among the general population and the resulting deaths from AIDS of many adults has tragically seen a huge number of children orphaned. It is struggling hard to overcome all this under the shadow left by apartheid, but the population is incredibly upbeat and resilient and is determined to build a bright future for their nation. Virgin Unite has been supporting a range of projects in South Africa and as part of the trip Emma visited and helped out at as many as possible.
Amongst the projects visited were Pride and Purpose, the local charity connected to Ulusaba: Richard Branson�s Game Reserve. It is committed to working alongside and helping the local community of Dumphries achieve self-sustainability, aiming to help people to help themselves. Virgin Holidays� loyalty club the �Frequent Virgin Club� also supports this charity and recently raised �3,000 to fund a community sewing co-operative.
Emma has been with Virgin Holidays for the past six months as a member of the Customer Services team - although she has been a member of the Virgin family for over a year and a half, previously working at LGW check-in for Virgin Atlantic. Living in Burgess Hill, Emma is you�re average 19 year old, regularly meeting up with friends, going out drinking, dancing and supporting Liverpool FC.
Speaking about her South African experience Emma says, "I�ve never been to a country like South Africa before and it was certainly an eye opening experience. The charitable work we undertook with Virgin Unite was hugely rewarding but I did find it emotionally difficult to see how some of the children lived. I hope that our time spent at the various projects will have helped to make a difference."
For more info on Virgin Unite log onto www.virginunite.com
-ENDS-
Press Enquiries: Virgin Holidays Press Office
Tel: 01293 744228/744616
Editors Notes: Virgin Unite was created to unite people and Virgin�s global resources
www.dumphriesvillage.com
Emma�s been keeping a diary while she�s been away and has some
fabulous photos documenting her trip.