Skate4Kenya – Media Release (.pdf)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
UBC Sauder School of Business Grads Skate Across Kenya for Social Entrepreneurship 101
Launch Date: August 20th, 2010
“Longboarding across Kenya will be one of the most awe-inspiring and physically challenging experiences of our lifetime, but pales in comparison to the obstacles Kenyan Youth face on a daily basis. We hope to inspire others to give a little bit of themselves to help others turn their dreams into entrepreneurial realities. If there is anything our Sauder education has taught us, it’s that Social and Financial goals can be married together to offer positive global benefits.” (Les Robertson, Sauder MBA 2010)
“On a personal note, this program is close to my heart, as I have dedicated much of my career to entrepreneurship. I truly believe that investments in the future of business knowledge are fundamental to the success and growth of any economy. After all, economies depend on our ability to develop new opportunities, spun from the intersection of ideas and entrepreneurial thinking.” (Daniel F. Muzyaka, Dean, Sauder School of Business and RBC Financial Group Professor of Entrepreneurship)
VANCOUVER, CDN & NAIROBI, KE – (August 16th) –
Two UBC Sauder School of Business alumni, Les Robertson (MBA 2010) and Rob Foxall (BComm 2010), have launched the Skate4Kenya Initiative to raise awareness and funds for the Sauder Africa Initiative: Social Entrepreneurship 101 (SE101) and the goal of creating a center for youth entrepreneurship in Nairobi, Kenya.
Both Les and Rob participated in SE101 as student teachers in 2009 under the leadership of Sauder Associate Professor Nancy Langton. Both fell in love with Kenya and saw the need for a permanent year-round center where young entrepreneurs could find mentorship and the resources needed to research and fine-tune their business plans.
On August 20th, Les and Rob will depart from Nairobi and skate nearly 500 Kilometers across Kenya to the port town of Mombasa on the East coast of Africa. The Skate4Kenya initiative was inspired by Long Treks on Skate Decks a series sponsored by North Vancouver, BC based Rayne Longboards. While working as a consultant for Rayne during his MBA, Les met Graham Buksa, Founder and President of Rayne Longboards and approached him for support. Buksa, getting his start as a young entrepreneur though his own business plan, was happy to sponsor the Skate4Kenya initiative with the equipment and mentorship needed to make it all possible.
Skate4Kenya’s goal is to raise $20,000 to support SE101 and kick-off the centre. All proceeds raised will be directed towards this vision. To find out more about Skate4Kenya, donate, or support the cause otherwise, please visit www.skate4kenya.com or email info@skate4kenya.com.
About the Sauder Africa Initiative: Social Entrepreneurship 101: SE 101 began delivering business plan training to youth living in Africa in the summer of 2006. Most of the efforts are focused towards youth in Kibera (Nairobi), Kenya, one of the largest slums in all of Africa. Funds raised go towards education and mentorship, enabling impoverished youth to take control of their futures and start their own businesses.
