November 11, 2010: The fashion company Esprit is sponsoring the Big Bang, a worldwide campaign to raise awareness of SOS and urge people to "make their bang count." Taking place from November 5 to 13, the project works like this: 11 Esprit stores around the globe are housing a super drum that customers are urged to bang. In other participating stores, Esprit customers are given a drumstick that will send them online, where they can hit a virtual drum (http://www.esprit.com/bigbang).
When the number of bangs reaches 3 million, Esprit will donate 500,000 Euros to SOS Children’s Villages in Alibaug, India. The company already financed construction of the new SOS Village-Alibaug, whose opening in October was attended by Hollywood stars and SOS supporters Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard. The famous couple have also promised to help Esprit reach its 3-million-bangs target.
SOS-Alibaug, the fortieth SOS Village in India, is in the state of Maharashtra, whose capital is Mumbai. Alibaug is just south of that city. The village contains 14 family homes for 140 children.
Through its partnership with SOS Children's Villages, which began in 2008, Esprit will give children in need a loving new home and a promising future.
Big Bang Day
The campaign will culminate in Big Bang Day on November 13. At the moment, Esprit is holding Big Bang parties on the streets and in its stores to get people’s attention—and bangs -- in the following cities: Amsterdam, Beijing, Brussels, Berlin, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, London, Melbourne, New Delhi, New York, and Paris.
SOS and India
The needs of unaccompanied children in India are great. SOS Children’s Villages has been in India since 1968. Its forty villages are spread across that diverse country, where SOS mothers raise 6,000 children from India’s many different races, religions, and traditions.
Despite India’s growing middle class, millions of people, including many children, live in dire poverty both in the largest cities and rural areas. SOS gives hope to children brought to its doorstep. At SOS-Alibaug, as in every SOS Village in India and elsewhere, each and every SOS child is made to feel special in their SOS home. They are given the love of an SOS mother, the companionship of SOS siblings, as well as food, medical care, and an education. For children used to nothing, SOS is a life saver.
Give hope to a boy or girl in India. Bang the drum for SOS Children's Villages at http://www.esprit.com/bigbang.