"This rally is an humanitarian project that challenges our business skills too"
January 4, 2012
They both wanted to finish their studies with "something big", "something to be remembered" the rest of their lives. So, they decided to enroll in an unparalleled adventure, equally sportive and humanitarian, which consists of a race from Paris to Marrakesh to bring some schooling material to Southern Morocco kids. Six months ago, Pierre-Alain Philippi and Albert Raya, both ESADE students, registered for the 4L Trophy 2012, which starts in February. They have found the car. They are now looking for more sponsors to make their dream come true.
You both met at ESADE...
Albert Raya (AR): Yes, we met five years ago at ESADE. Pierre didn't speak Spanish at that time but we became friends. Six months ago, he told me about the 4L Trophy and we thought it would be fine to finish our studies with this adventure.
What does the rally consist of?
Pierre-Alain Philippi (PAP): Well, it is particularly interesting because it is not about speed but about orientation. The race begins in Paris (France) and ends in Marrakesh (Morocco). So you have to do 6.000 km through three countries with just a map, a compass and some guidelines. GPS is forbidden, of course. Moreover, the rally has an important humanitarian dimension. Every car has to bring a minimum of 50 kg of schooling stuff for the kids in Southern Morocco, a country which always raised my interest for its amazing scenery and culture.
So, the reason to participate in this event is this sportive and also humanitarian dimension... What do you expect from it?
PAP: A friend of mine told me he was taking part in the initiative. I looked up some information about the event on the Internet and wanted to be involved in it. The rally started 15 years ago and this year it is going to gather 2.400 students, all together traveling in 4L, which is a legendary car, to bring bags, books and pencils to kids. It is going to be huge. This is the first year an ESADE team participates in the rally and we are quite proud of it. It also challenges our business skills as there is a real work of preparation finding funds to complete our budgets. We have to talk to many companies and use the best arguments to convince them to sponsor the initiative. This enables us to meet a lot of people and even persons who do not make financial contributions help us in some way. I wouldn't have thought this project would expand my network to such an extent.
AR: As for me, I expect to get a lot of things from this event, like meeting many people from different backgrounds as a lot of universities from Europe are participating in it. I think the humanitarian values behind the whole experience are extremely important and ESADE shares them all in its programs.
What are the main obstacles you have to overcome?
PAP: We registered to the event last May and created the association Cuatro Latas in France, where the paperwork is easier. The first big part was to raise the money to compete. The schooling material was our second priority. Now we start to think about what we are going to bring with us. We think it is better to buy the material in Morocco so we can also participate in its economy. Once there, the NGO Enfants du désert, that collaborates with the rally, will dispatch it.
What about the car?
PAP: This summer we were given a 4L which had been sleeping eight years in a garage. At the end, we realized it wouldn't work, so we gave it up. Then, we put some ads on the Internet until we found another car. Albert bargained a really good price. In fact, this is about finding solutions for everything. We had to add protection panels to the engine and we still have to fix some issues to be able to drive in the desert. So, we are looking for more sponsors to finance this...
What do you offer to sponsors?
PAP: We offer them a cheap and original tool to promote their brands or company, a way to associate their brand name with a sportive and humanitarian cause.
AR: I think the big call is the car, which is eye-catching with all the stickers. We are also participating in some events with stands to provide information. This is something the sponsors can take advantage of. Eventually, we are offering media coverage. 2.400 students are quite a lot of people, so sponsors might find potential customers there.
What are your plans when you finish?
PAP: A few days after we return, I fly to Sydney, Australia, to finish my master, so I hope I will have time to pack everything up.
AR: I plan also to go abroad for an internship. But, first, we have to come back with our 4L.
