Convergys gives ‘Bags of Hope’

MANILA, Philippines - “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Convergys aims to do just that by way of its nationwide campaign, “Give a Bag of Hope.”

As a Convergys community relations pillar, which is to improve quality of life, this employee-driven project addresses the shortage of basic school supplies. For every new hire at Convergys, a Bag of Hope is donated in their name, benefiting a student in a partner public school. The new employee also receives an exclusive Convergys jacket. Each of the company’s 60,000 current employees can also donate bags of hope, containing essential school supplies such as pencils, erasers, sharpeners, crayons, pad papers, and notebooks.

Last June 16, the Convergys bags of hope and exclusive apparel made their debut on the runway through the “Styled to Give” fashion show held in SM City Clark. Brand ambassadors Mark McMahon and Gabriel Samulde, as well as one of the country’s hottest leading men, Joseph Marco, strutted the catwalk with select Convergys employees. The main highlight of the night, however, was the parade of Aeta students down the stage wearing their brand-new backpacks. The children are among the beneficiaries from partner schools of Convergys Clark.

The event was, in part, a celebration of the launch of a new Convergys site in the city, and a showcase for the Give a Bag of Hope campaign.

From its original site in Clarkfield, Convergys has moved to a new and bigger home in SM City Clark, enabling further growth. “This expansion is representative of our commitment to investing in our people and communities,” says Convergys chief operating officer Marge Connelly. “Convergys Philippines continues to be a critical part of our global operations, and an important service destination for our clients.”

Convergys Philippines country manager Ivic Mueco adds that along with the Clark site’s continued growth, the company also becomes a stronger partner in building the community. “The 40-percent increase to 700 employees over the past year is significant, and we are excited to continue to grow. As we launch our new site, we also take pride in our Clark team strengthening their service to the community.”

Department of Education Region 3 director Rizalino Jose Rosales commends the campaign that aids in their mission to provide quality, equitable, culture-based, and complete basic education to all our learners. “Give A Bag of Hope allows Filipino schoolchildren to have a better chance to pursue their education by addressing a major cause of school dropouts due to the lack of school supplies,” Rosales said.

Earlier on the same day, at Convergys Clark’s new site launch, employees visited and distributed Bags of Hope to Aeta students of Nabuclod and Camachile elementary schools in Floridablanca, Pampanga. Convergys Clark site director Soc Bautista says that employees volunteer in the Convergys Community Action Network to create a bigger impact on the places where they live and work. He also shares that the distribution of the bags and the time spent with the Aeta children were humbling experiences for the Convergys team.

The outpouring of support for the highly attended event only showed that helping out never goes out of style. The smiles on the schoolchildren’s faces and hope it sparked in them made the campaign a complete success.

For more details, watch Convergys’ #GiveaBagofHope on YouTube. Follow/like Convergys Phils on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.