Ethiopiaid Challenge

Reed Specialist Recruitment's Middle East Associate Director Maria Brown will venture further afield into Africa and demonstrate her humanitarian side in November, when she supports one of Reed's charities 'Ethiopiaid'.

In February 2009, Reed staff were asked if they would be interested in taking part in the 2009 Ethiopia Team Challenge. December 2008 saw the successes of the first Ethiopiaid Team Challenge and after last year's group rated the experience as "amazing, rewarding and memorable", Maria decided this was something she wanted to be part of.

A large part of the Team Challenge is teaching English and Maria will be undertaking a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course prior to going to Ethiopia, so she can work in the schools with the team and help the young children.

Maria was asked what would she like to gain from the week in Ethiopia and what does she feel she can bring to the Ethiopia team challenge?

"When I began thinking about the challenge, I realised so much of my time is dedicated to personal and professional development. Having spent the past 24 months working in some of the more affluent countries in the world, I want to give something back and by working with Ethiopiaid I hope to be able to do that and experience a truly humbling challenge.

"I am a warm, loving, dedicated person who can offer support, motivation and guidance. I have coached and mentored children in sports, and adults throughout their career. I feel the skills I have, combined with my passion for wanting to work with Ethiopiaid, will be a great asset. This will be a wonderful experience and I just cannot wait to start the journey".

In advance of Maria's trip to Ethiopia, she held an online auction to raise money for the 20 projects that are currently being supported. Over the course of seven days, Maria's online auction generated a considerable amount of interest due to the very exciting assortment of items which included weekend stays in the Beach Rotana Abu Dhabi, One to One Abu Dhabi, Doha Seef Best Westin, Le Tremoille Paris, a week-long stay in Portugal, meal vouchers, ski passes for ski Dubai, tickets for Wild Wadi, Aquaventure, Caracal and Keane in concerts, a hot air balloon flight, desert safari and a swim with Dolphins, to name just a few.

The two items that generated the most interest were two matching his and hers watches from the UAE's Platinum sponsor Tiffany, presented by Damas Jewellers. In total, Maria's auction generated over 41,000AED, which is a wonderful start to her fundraising activities that will continue throughout the year.

If you wish to make a donation to help Maria make a difference, then please visit Maria's Justgiving page or email her directly on maria.brown@reedglobal.com.