Cyril is a French father of three as well as a conceptual designer living and working in Quebec. Coming from Saint-Barnabe in Brittany, France, he and his wife Dorothee have been friends of Tiphaine Nilias (founder of Tanzania School Trust), all of them living in the same place as kids.
Cyril moved to Quebec and Tiphaine moved to Germany and England, but both of them kept in touch via social media. Tiphaine witnessed Cyril’s family getting bigger, with one son Gabriel, and two daughters Charlotte and recent addition Agathe. Cyril saw the birth of Tanzania School trust, starting with Tiphaine’s volunteering experience in Hill Crest School in Tanzania and progressing to an officially registered charity!
Despite not having personally experienced any charity or humanitarian work, Cyril has a kind heart and wants to do good in the world. He donates when he sees a person or a community needing help badly: “I’m always happy to donate when I see it is needed, even if I know I won’t see the receiver of my donation again. This time with Tanzania School Trust, I know I’ll be able to see who I help and how my money is used”.
Cyril and Dorothee had already supported Tanzania School Trust from the start, following up with the charity via social media and newsletters. However, for his 36th birthday Cyril decided to do something special: “I didn’t want anything in particular from my friends and family so I saw my birthday as an opportunity to ask them to join me in supporting the charity some more.”
Facebook’s fundraising tool was easy and quick to set up, and Cyril initially set the fundraising’s goal to 300$…. but that goal was achieved in two days only! He then set the goal to 1000$ and actually collected 1068$! Grateful to have such generous friends, Cyril explains: “I’m super proud to have contributed to the cause! It makes me want to raise even more for next year!”.
Tiphaine and Tanzania School Trust were also very thankful to have someone like Cyril on their side! When asked why he chose to fundraise for them, Cyril answered “this charity is addressing poverty via education and the fundamental need for food. In our days, we spend a little here and there on unnecessary things whilst what we call “a little” means a lot in Tanzania. Dorothee and I also have absolute trust in the person who manages the charity. We saw how much she cared for the kids of the school!”.
To close the fundraising, Cyril and Tiphaine created a video (in French, here) to thank all the donors and explain to them what their money brings to the school. The 1068$ (GBP 623 or 724 Euros) will pay the three teachers’ and Mama Mary’s salaries and buy more than 2000 meals. That means more than one month of food for all 40 children, twice per day weekend included, and there is still some more for the other children who come to the school on weekends to receive a meal!
Many are like Cyril, not really desiring or needing much for their birthdays. Therefore, please do think of fundraising for your birthday, you never know what good you can do by asking people to celebrate your special day!
