On Thursday 27 August 2015, the Rail4Kids project created by Voyages-sncf and supported by EUMA (European Management Assistants) brought 100 disadvantaged children and around 30 supervisors from Caritas Luxembourg and International Hainault Tourisme (IHT) from Belgium on a fun-filled day out in the French capital.
The Rail4Kids project was first developed around three years ago, as a means of providing the disadvantaged youth of Benelux with escapism through fun excursions. Voyages-sncf began the 2015 project at the start of the year, with each high-speed train ticket sold at a SNCF Benelux partner travel agency representing a milestone passed in the journey towards the fundraising cap of 75,000 km.
This goal was reached in mid-August, and with it 100 children aged between 9 and 13 chosen by Caritas Jeune et Famille Luxembourg and different CPAS in Belgium were on their way to Paris, many for the first time in their lives, to explore the many facets and features of the chic capital.
The Luxembourg group had arrived on Wednesday evening and spent the night at the 'Le d'Artagnan' youth hostel, so Thursday morning began with a very excited second group from Ghent, Brussels, Namur and Charleroi hot-footing it off the Thalys train at the Gare du Nord, eager to start the day.
The groups clambered aboard several buses, which then whisked them off on a guided tour to experience the architectural and historical sights of the city, including Le Sacré-Coeur, Théâtre National de Chaillot, L'Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, Le Palais de Justice, Le Louvre and Les Champs-Élysées.
Excitement grew as the bus stopped outside the Musée Grevin, Paris' renowned wax museum, featuring the realistic models of French figures old and new, allowing the children to take celebrity selfies and collect keepsakes from the museum gift shop. The action did not abate, and after a lunch of chicken and chips and ice cream at the 'Auberge de Père Louis' it was time for a sightseeing boat trip along the River Seine. The weather failed to deter the groups, with many braving the wind and rain to admire the Parisian scenery from the open-air top deck of the bateau mouche.
The day was completed with the crowning glory of the capital city - a visit to the Tour Eiffel to gaze up in wonder at the 324 metre tall metallic tower. The structure clearly had an impact, with the subsequent return bus journey containing more than one child clutching a commemorative keyring.
"It's really nice to see the kids so excited and happy," stated Director of Business Development at Voyages-sncf, Olivier Gordenne. "I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to the travellers who opted for the train and especially the travel agencies that went along with it and used the SNCF booking system to offer those unforgettable moments to these 100 disadvantaged children".
Initiatives such as the Rail4Kids programme represent a novel, more interactive form of charitable giving, allowing those who contribute financially to witness where their money goes in this social impact initiative. European Management Assistants (EUMA), a partner company of the Rail4Kids project, was represented on the trip by Deputy Chairman of EUMA Catherine Johannsson and Management Assistant Sylve Félix, who said of the project: "It is important for us to not just give the [association] a cheque and then that's it."
Indeed, EUMA has been involved in several such projects, having given disadvantaged children from the Institut Saint Joseph in Rumelange the chance to participate in the recent Colour Run, as well as initiatives such as raising money for sun creams and handing out chocolates at the children's centres.
Such events also require no small amount of collaboration, with around 1,500 partner agencies in the Benelux region having contributed in some way to the project since the start of the year. "The project has been well thought out, bringing together agencies from Belgium and Luxembourg in order to reach the goal set out," explained Julian Bertauts of Voyages-sncf, who was also involved throughout the day's events and explained how the trip was only made possible thanks to tickets sold at SNCF-agreed travel agencies.
"Through their efforts to promote the high-speed train, the travel agencies know that they are killing two birds with one stone," continued B2B Voyages-sncf Director of Commercial Development, Olivier Gordenne. "On the one hand, they offer their customers a mobility solution which is modern, fast, comfortable, convenient and environmentally-friendly, increasing the guaranteed satisfaction of travellers. On the other, each ticket they sell helps provide a little happiness and a first travelling experience for children who have not been spoiled in life."
Head of B2B Marketing & Communication of Voyages-sncf Europe, David Dupuis, reported that the company fully intends to continue the Rail4Kids project with a future trip loosely planned for next July, which Voyages-sncf will expand in both duration in scope.
Photos by Sarah Graham
