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This is the Cebu team that help create awesome animations and build awesome software for Australian businesses.
On December 16th, a week before the AGuyIKnow Christmas shutdown, a super typhoon ripped through Cebu (Philippines).
Our Cebu team (almost 40 staff) who we work closely with day in, day out experienced something we couldn't even imagine.
With the 'merriment' of Christmas around us here in Perth, Australia I personally felt tremendous guilt.... we were desperate to help but what can you do 5000km away?
Leading up to Christmas
In the aftermath of the typhoon...
- There was no power, and it was unknown how long water supplies would last (and it was running out)
- Our landlord was exceptional and as our office had a generator it was agreed to run it 3hrs, twice a day - but gasoline was in short supply, and the generator was not designed to run 24/7
- Slowly over the next week, every team member thankfully connected/got in touch and we knew they were safe.
- A lot of the team 'moved in' to the office so they had power
- Sending money was useless as ATMs were either empty or not working
Here in Perth, we had the easy job of just communicating to our clients' delays and everyone understood.... but unbelievably those in the Cebu office who could, they worked for the 6 hrs we had power.... (i don't know if I would have been able to focus at all)
This is what some of our staff are now dealing with
- Clouie - the roofs were destroyed and all electrical equipment destroyed
- Fia - her families home was completely destroyed
- Rodulfo - his roof has gone, and all appliances are no longer usable
Every member of the AGuyIKnow Cebu team have been affected to some degree.... so now we are trying to help them rebuild.
How much am I trying to raise?
I have never done anything like this before, and those who know me really well, know I struggle to ask for help.... .... but I am asking my network to help some people who are very special to me..... in fact, it was a local martial arts school we do work for who made me realise 'it is ok to ask for help' as they said: "Graham, we want to help, how can we give some financial support".
It was hard to set a goal, all I know is that AUD$ goes a long way in the Philippines. To give you some context:
- One of our team who was one of the worst affected has asked for $850 to allow them to rebuild their home.
- when I was visiting the team a few years ago, we purchased a Lechon for our weekend company event for $16 ..... $16!!!!!!!!! (A Lechon is a cooked pig on a stick and the BEST pork i have ever tasted).
From my perspective I have already ensured that money has been available to anyone in the team who need it, no questions asked but to have a 'pot' of money for them to draw upon from donations would just make such a difference.
What are we going to do with the money raised?
Prince and JK run AGuyIKnow Cebu, and over the 6+ years I've worked alongside them. I have so much respect for them. They are not just about looking after the team, they are also about looking after the community. In fact it was JK's team who when we said 'create a Christmas video to show the spirit of Christmas' - his team went and bought burgers to cook and give out to the homeless .
This is the type of people I have the pleasure of working with.
All the money will be sent directly to Prince and JK to allocate as they see fit.
Who or what is AGuyIKnow
This GoFundMe page i created is just to ask anyone who i know, and therefore know my journey over the years to help those who have been on this journey with me. My name is Graham, and I am an Englishman, who lives in Perth (Australia).
Almost 7 years ago I created AGuyIKnow - I employed one person in Cebu to help me deliver awesome work and scale 'me'.
We then created WhiteBelt - to provide free software to martial arts schools to help them grow (as I believe martial arts can change peoples lives and provides children some much-needed skills).
Fast forward to now, and there is a team of 6 here in Perth Australia, 1 in the UK, and 40 in Cebu...
Our business is going in the right direction, but we have a way still to go from a business perspective.
Those who work with me are more than colleagues, I consider us a family who always look after each other. I will ensure we support our team as best we can.... but any contribution, no matter how small, i know will make a difference to our team and their families.