Dec 9, 2013-American Friends of the Phelophepa Train 2013 Awards & Benefit
American Friends of the Phelophepa Train Honor Prominent Global Philanthropists from Sports, Finance Sustainable Technology and Design
The Patrons, Archbishop Desmond and Leah Tutu, and the Board of The Phelophepa Train were pleased to announce the honorees for this year’s Benefit Gala held at the Edison Ball Room, 240 West 47th Street, New York.
Nicknamed “The Train of Hope”, the trains are nothing short of a miracle for some. The two unique trains operate using the rail infrastructure in South Africa to deliver vital basic health care to primarily under-served rural areas.
The late President Nelson Mandela championed the Phelophepa Train and former US President Bill Clinton added “by delivering quality medical services, education and outreach programs to the “poorest of the poor” in South Africa’s remote areas, The Phelophepa Train acts on principles to which you, Desmond Tutu, have devoted your entire life. ”
This year, the organization carefully selected the 2013 recipients of the Phelophepa Train Awards for Excellence in Philanthropy, Social Entrepreneurship, Transformational Finance, Technology and Advocacy for their unwavering commitments to empower the poorest communities in Africa and around the world.
The Honorees were Global Entrepreneur, Sport Top Executive and Philanthropist Christophe Charlier. Mr. Charlier is Deputy CEO of ONEXIM, Chairman of the Brooklyn Nets and Vice-Chairman, Renaissance Capital, the leading emerging markets investment bank. David Anthony Colbert MD, Renowned Dermatologist. Dr. Colbert is a committed philanthropist who, following the massive 2010 Haiti earthquake, traveled with staff to the devastated country to treat injured survivors.
The second honoree was influential business leader and philanthropist, Tony Elumelu. Mr. Elumelu is Chairman of Heirs Holdings Ltd., and is among Africa’s most respected business leaders having built one of the continents largest and most successful financial institutions. Also honored was founder of Lighting Science Group Corp., Fredric S. Maxik. Mr. Maxik is Chief Technology Officer at LSGC. In 2012, he was recognized by the White House as a national “Champion of Change” for his work harnessing renewable energy to empower people and communities in the US and Africa. Last but not least Golden Globe and BAFTA nominated actress, model and fashion designer Sienna Miller was honored. Ms. Miller is the Global Ambassador for International Medical Corps and has traveled with them to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Haiti after the earthquake in 2010. June Miller accepted the award on her behalf.
Master of Ceremonies was Designer, Lifestyle Guru and TV Personality, Colin Cowie. Colin Cowie is known as the “party planner” to the stars and a contributor to the NBC TODAY Show. As a South African and 2007 recipient of the Phelophepa Award for Excellence, Cowie is an unwavering supporter of the Phelophepa Train.
About “The Train of Hope”
The Phelophepa Train is the world’s first primary healthcare hospitals on wheels. Using existing railroads, the two Phelophepa Trains alternatively travel to remote and under-served communities in rural South Africa. With a permanent staff of 40 and countless medical volunteers, the the trains have served over 14.5 million men, women and children since 1994 and trained 600 volunteers who carry on the life saving work long after the Phelophepa Train has left the station.
Thanks to public sponsors such as Transnet and corporate partners, Roche Ltd., Colgate Palmolive, Deloitte, and many more, each train is equipped with modern medical equipment including x-rays, dental chairs, a pharmacy, an eye clinic and laboratory fitted with state-of-the-art technology.
In addition to basic healthcare, the trains offer patients consultations with psychologists and social workers as well as educational outreach programs to schools and communities. During their annual nine-month operations, the trains close to 600 volunteers in basic, preventative health care. These trained volunteers remain in their communities and carry on the life saving work long after the Phelophepa Train has left the station. For more information about the American Friends of the Phelophepa Train, please visit http://www.trainofhope.org
Read MoreThe Patrons, Archbishop Desmond and Leah Tutu, and the Board of The Phelophepa Train were pleased to announce the honorees for this year’s Benefit Gala held at the Edison Ball Room, 240 West 47th Street, New York.
Nicknamed “The Train of Hope”, the trains are nothing short of a miracle for some. The two unique trains operate using the rail infrastructure in South Africa to deliver vital basic health care to primarily under-served rural areas.
The late President Nelson Mandela championed the Phelophepa Train and former US President Bill Clinton added “by delivering quality medical services, education and outreach programs to the “poorest of the poor” in South Africa’s remote areas, The Phelophepa Train acts on principles to which you, Desmond Tutu, have devoted your entire life. ”
This year, the organization carefully selected the 2013 recipients of the Phelophepa Train Awards for Excellence in Philanthropy, Social Entrepreneurship, Transformational Finance, Technology and Advocacy for their unwavering commitments to empower the poorest communities in Africa and around the world.
The Honorees were Global Entrepreneur, Sport Top Executive and Philanthropist Christophe Charlier. Mr. Charlier is Deputy CEO of ONEXIM, Chairman of the Brooklyn Nets and Vice-Chairman, Renaissance Capital, the leading emerging markets investment bank. David Anthony Colbert MD, Renowned Dermatologist. Dr. Colbert is a committed philanthropist who, following the massive 2010 Haiti earthquake, traveled with staff to the devastated country to treat injured survivors.
The second honoree was influential business leader and philanthropist, Tony Elumelu. Mr. Elumelu is Chairman of Heirs Holdings Ltd., and is among Africa’s most respected business leaders having built one of the continents largest and most successful financial institutions. Also honored was founder of Lighting Science Group Corp., Fredric S. Maxik. Mr. Maxik is Chief Technology Officer at LSGC. In 2012, he was recognized by the White House as a national “Champion of Change” for his work harnessing renewable energy to empower people and communities in the US and Africa. Last but not least Golden Globe and BAFTA nominated actress, model and fashion designer Sienna Miller was honored. Ms. Miller is the Global Ambassador for International Medical Corps and has traveled with them to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Haiti after the earthquake in 2010. June Miller accepted the award on her behalf.
Master of Ceremonies was Designer, Lifestyle Guru and TV Personality, Colin Cowie. Colin Cowie is known as the “party planner” to the stars and a contributor to the NBC TODAY Show. As a South African and 2007 recipient of the Phelophepa Award for Excellence, Cowie is an unwavering supporter of the Phelophepa Train.
About “The Train of Hope”
The Phelophepa Train is the world’s first primary healthcare hospitals on wheels. Using existing railroads, the two Phelophepa Trains alternatively travel to remote and under-served communities in rural South Africa. With a permanent staff of 40 and countless medical volunteers, the the trains have served over 14.5 million men, women and children since 1994 and trained 600 volunteers who carry on the life saving work long after the Phelophepa Train has left the station.
Thanks to public sponsors such as Transnet and corporate partners, Roche Ltd., Colgate Palmolive, Deloitte, and many more, each train is equipped with modern medical equipment including x-rays, dental chairs, a pharmacy, an eye clinic and laboratory fitted with state-of-the-art technology.
In addition to basic healthcare, the trains offer patients consultations with psychologists and social workers as well as educational outreach programs to schools and communities. During their annual nine-month operations, the trains close to 600 volunteers in basic, preventative health care. These trained volunteers remain in their communities and carry on the life saving work long after the Phelophepa Train has left the station. For more information about the American Friends of the Phelophepa Train, please visit http://www.trainofhope.org
