Devari’s Corner

Saturday, July 26th, 2008

Preparation for Brazil Trip

Bom dia! Como o senhor está? Me chamo Made. Eu so de Parrot Cay Resort. Hello friends, yes I am learning the very basic phrases of Portuguese language as the part of my preparation to visit Brazil. Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. I thought it would nice if I can say some basic expression in Portuguese. Hopefully by the time I am going to Brazil, I will be able to speak a little bit of Portuguese language.

The foundation (and PC) is planning my trip in between October 1st - October 18th 2008. Beside the language, I am also preparing myself in term of ‘product knowledge’ about both COMO Foundation and also Lua Nova Brazil. I believe that by having knowledge about COMO Foundation will make me a better ambassador as I would be able to share something with them about the foundation such as the foundation’s philosophy, the foundation’s collaborators, the foundation’s partners in other areas and also the position of the foundation within the COMO Hotels and Resort. Thanks to Ming who has posted my pre-itineraries from which enable me to determine which projects I need to focus to, such as Generate Action Project, Making Art Project, Building School Project and also House for the Children Project. Having seen the itinerary I am absolutely sure that I will have a great experience there and yes, I will have a lot of questions.

My trip planner told me that so far I have two options regarding my flight to Brazil. Most likely I will depart from Parrot Cay (Providenciales). First option is Providenciales - Jamaica (Kingston) - Panama - Brazil (Sao Paulo). However, due to safety reason, this route is not confirmed yet. Second option is Providenciales - UK (Heathrow) - Brazil (Sao Paulo). Why there is no option to have connecting flight in US airport? Yes, because I am not sure yet if my US visa application is approved when I apply it next month when I am going to Bali for annual leave.

Obrigado, ate mais!

Posted in COMO Ambassador | 8 Comments

Friday, June 20th, 2008

Wo..hoo! I am going to Brazil

Today is the happiest day in my life. I got an email from COMO Foundation Director confirming that I won the COMO Foundation Ambassador Challenge. Wo..hoo! I am going to Brazil. It took me couple minutes to read the email over and over again. I still could not believe until my manager called me confirming again about the email.

Winning this challenge means a lot for me both professionally and personally. This achievement encourages me to know more about the Foundation and it’s work. For the first time in my career in COMO, I feel that I am being recognized. I keep telling myself, now its the show time. I realize that visiting Lua Nova Brazil is not just an ordinary trip, it is not a vacation. It is a mission with big tasks and responsibilities. I am a COMO Foundation Ambassador, a representative who can be positioned as the ‘bridge’ between the Foundation and Lua Nova Brazil.

Personally, I have my own charity project in my home village, Nusa Penida, Bali (Indonesia), supporting 12 students whose parents are not so lucky to be able to send their children to junior high school. I hope that my experience in Brazil will inspire me. Lua Nova has some interesting projects that probably can be applied in my home village, especially to the parents of those 12 students.

Sometimes, I feel like I am James Bond 007, who are waiting to be assigned an important mission to Brazil. With the support of the Foundation and Parrot Cay, I strongly believe that I would be able to complete the mission successfully. Here is the confirmation email:

From: MT (COMO Foundation Director)

To : Made Suardana (me)

CC : C Sh (GM resort saya), Ku FL (Kepala Operational COMO), CGyt (Welfare Manager)

Dear Made
I am very pleased to offer you my heartiest congratulations on being chosen to be a COMO Foundation Ambassador.

You chose to visit Lua Nova Brazil. We are in conversation with our partner with regard to the best itinerary and time to visit. There are lots of details to be ironed out. I will be in touch next week.

In the meantime, CONGRATULATIONS again. Mrs O (the owner-dev), the Board of the COMO Foundation and I are fully confident that you will be a wonderful Ambassador to our partner as well as to your colleagues.

Warmest regards
M

COMO Hotels and Resorts and the COMO Foundation
583 Or*** Road
The Forum #07-02
Singapore 238884
Republic of Singapore

Posted in COMO Ambassador | 19 Comments

Thursday, May 22nd, 2008

Applying for COMO Foundation Ambassador

In celebration of COMO Foundation’s 5th Anniversary, the Foundation is holding a special event called COMO Foundation Ambassador Challenge. The winners will be rewarded trip to 5 destination countries in which its partners are located such as Brazil, China, Guatemala, India, Nepal, Sri Langka, Thailand or Vietnam. COMO Foundation is a division of COMO Hotels and Resort Group which manage the philanthropic interests of the group. The Foundation supports non-profit grass root organizations that work directly in development, education and health care for women and childrens.

This challenge is open for all employees of COMO Group and its associate companies such as Club21 and Armani Exchange. There will be many participants on this event so I guess my chance is very small to win this challenge but hey, like wise people said, be optimistic and try your best to win it. I have submitted my application today and Brazil is my chosen destination. I would love to know more about Lua Nova organizations as Parrot Cay Resort (where I work) have been carrying their products for a while. I would like to exchange feedback with them and find out more the process of making their products.

Wish me luck friends, I hope I win the challenge.

Posted in COMO Ambassador | 16 Comments