Dubai, UAE, October 16, 2017:  With the “Time for Change” charity initiative, Roger Dubuis has helped the Emirates Airline Foundation over the past few years in supporting some key projects around the world dedicated to improving the lives of children in need.  Some of the key projects are located in Bangladesh, India, the Philippines and South Africa.

The “Time for Change” included a silent auction of one of Roger Dubuis’ most iconic luxury watches, the Excalibur Double Tourbillon Titanium DLC, produced as a unique piece dedicated to the partnership. 

“It is a matter of great pride and gives us immense pleasure to join hands with Emirates Airline to make a difference in the lives of children and enable them to reach their full potential. With 2017 being declared the Year of Giving in the UAE, it is also a great opportunity for us to contribute towards enriching the lives of youngsters,” said Jean-Marc Pontroué, CEO of Roger Dubuis. 

“This collaboration with Roger Dubuis has provided significant support in our efforts to positively impact the lives of children,” said Terry Daly, Board Member of the Emirates Airline Foundation, and Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President – Service Delivery. “There is great need to garner international support to help millions of children around the world and improve their quality of life. This initiative has made a meaningful difference.”

Thanks to its renowned expertise in architectural and technical mechanisms combined with powerful and daring design, Roger Dubuis has carved out an exclusive niche in the world of Haute Horlogerie. 

The Emirates Airline Foundation is a non-profit charity organisation that aims to improve the quality of life for children, regardless of geographical, political, or religious boundaries, and to help them maintain or improve their human dignity. 

“Time for Change” Projects Support
Here are some of the projects which have benefited from the generous support of the Roger Dubuis initiatives: 
The Emirates-CHES Home in Chennai, India: The Emirates-CHES Home takes care of HIV positive children in Tamil Nadu, India.  Many of these amazing young people were abandoned on the streets of Chennai. Complete with dormitories, a medical centre, play area and swimming pool, this community is home to more than 100 children, who are all living proof that HIV/AIDS is not a death sentence.  

The Emirates-Friendship Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh: The Emirates Friendship Hospital Ship provides vital medical assistance to communities in one of the most isolated regions in Bangladesh, all impacted by annual monsoon flooding.  The Foundation funds a full-time team of doctors, nurses and support staff, plus annual operating expenses. Since its inception, the floating hospital has served nearly 500,000 patients as it continues to move throughout the rivers of the region.  

IIMPACT India: IIMPACT is an organisation committed to providing educational opportunities to girls from socially and economically disadvantaged communities in rural India.  The Foundation supports IIMPACT Learning Centres which educate girls in 1,100 villages in 11 States across India.  Nearly 3,000 girls receive primary education, transforming the future of families and entire communities.   

Virlanie Foundation, Manila, the Philippines: The Virlanie Foundation is based in Metro Manila, and cares for children in need of special protection - those who are among the poorest of the poor, the abandoned, abused, exploited, neglected, and orphaned.  The Foundation supports by paying the operating expenses of two of the clusters in the Virlanie Community. These programmes provide health care, education, housing assistance, and other basic services.  Total beneficiaries - around 50 babies

Singakwenza, South Africa: South Africa-based Singakwenza, meaning “We can do it!” aims to build sustainable Early Childhood Education programmes in economically disadvantaged areas, using resources made from recycling. They currently provide mentorship and training to more than 40 educators in 15 crèches in KwaZulu Natal affecting the educational outcome of over 1,000 children enrolled in these centres. In addition, they reached over 30 000 children throughout Southern Africa in 2016 through their Waste 2 Toys training workshops