In an era where corporate team building often means trust falls and PowerPoint presentations, some companies are taking a boldly different approach. Enter the Dubai office of global investment bank Houlihan Lokey, who recently partnered with Project Maji to bring sustainable water access to a school community in Machakos, Kenya.
We sat down with Rand and András from Houlihan Lokey's Financial Restructuring Team to discuss their experience and insights from this impactful initiative.
What inspired Houlihan Lokey to partner with Project Maji?
"We started this initiative last year with a similar project in Uganda," explains Rand. "What we're trying to do is give back. We feel that we can be doing a lot more for societies, especially outside our usual sphere."
The team was introduced to Project Maji through a mutual connection, and after meeting with Project Maji founder Sunil Lalvani, they found perfect alignment with their vision.
Why a focus on water access?
The choice to focus on water access was deliberate and strategic. "Water is one of the scarcest resources in Africa, and they have a genuine problem there," Rand emphasises. The impact of water scarcity extends far beyond just drinking water.
"We notice that water has an impact on everything," András explains. "Through conversations with teachers, we learned that girls often miss school just to fetch water. By setting up water access points near the school, we can increase their educational opportunities."
The project included three strategic access points: one for the school, another for the surrounding community, and a third for irrigation. This comprehensive approach addresses not just drinking water needs but also supports food security through sustainable farming.
What was it like arriving at the project site?
"Even though we did this last year, the feeling was still immensely overwhelming," Rand recalls. "There were about 300 kids all gathered, knowing what we were doing, and immensely excited about it."
For first-timer András, the experience was particularly moving: "Seeing all the kids lined up, being curious, and sensing that something impactful was coming – it was a great experience."
What were the most memorable moments during installation?
While working on the irrigation system, the team witnessed pure joy when water first reached the farmland. "The kids were waiting at the end of the piping," András remembers. "When water reached, they were surprised and joyful – they played with it, and it was very special."
The team also appreciated working alongside Project Maji's engineers, finding them "really cool, really fun, really nice people," as Rand puts it. Despite being investment bankers with no prior installation experience, they successfully completed the project with guidance from the Project Maji team.
How has this experience influenced the team's perspective?
"It becomes so much more visible when you actually go there," Rand reflects. "You hear them [community members] talking about it, and you see how happy they are when they finally have access. When you see these things visibly, touch them, speak to them, and shake hands with them, it's just a completely different perspective."
András adds, "When you're there, you get the proper understanding of how big the issue is. These communities with such fundamental needs are sometimes 20 minutes away from main roads."
How does this compare to traditional corporate retreats?
"It's incomparable," Rand states emphatically. "This is something else entirely – you're actually making a difference in the world, trying to give back to society, and sharing some of your privileges, all while getting to know your colleagues on a much deeper level."
The impact has resonated beyond their immediate team. "Other teams in Dubai and London have been asking about the trip," András shares. "Everyone's curious, and you can feel that they want to do something similar."
The project's success stemmed from a powerful collaboration between individual employees and the Houlihan Lokey Foundation, which matched the team's contributions. This partnership, Rand and András emphasise, was crucial in scaling the project's impact.
Would you recommend this to other organisations?
"100% we would recommend it," Rand enthuses. "It's a life-changing experience both for yourself and for the people whose lives you're impacting. Living in our part of the world, you can become a bit bubbled. These experiences change your perspective on life and what truly matters."
Their advice for other organisations? "It's not as hard as you think," Rand assures. "There are organisations like Project Maji who guide you from A to Z. The only way to actually do it is to take the first step. Once you do, you're going to go all the way."
The project's success has inspired the team to increase their commitment. Initially planning annual trips, they're now discussing bi-annual initiatives. With Project Maji's monitoring systems providing regular updates on water consumption and impact, organisations can track their contribution's ongoing effect on communities.
The impact of corporate-NGO partnerships ripples far beyond the immediate project, creating powerful sustainable change for all involved. For corporations, it's a strategic advantage in today's purpose-driven job market, with a recent Deloitte survey revealing that 91% of employees believe volunteer opportunities enhance their workplace experience and strengthen their connection to their employer. For NGOs like Project Maji, these partnerships not only expand reach but also provide essential funding that enables long-term impact.
For organisations considering similar initiatives, the message is clear: corporate social responsibility trips aren't just good for the soul – they're good for business, good for team building, and most importantly, good for creating lasting positive change in communities that need it most.