By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
In a Press Release dated 5th June, 2024, Orange Sierra Leone and Orange Middle East and Africa disclosed that they are strengthening their social and environmental commitment by involving their employees through the Engage for Change Program.
They further stated that for several years now, Orange Sierra Leone (OSL) and Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) have been taking concrete action to reduce their environmental impact. They added that today, it is employees who are taking over by getting directly involved in various ecological initiatives on International Environment Day, as part of the new Orange Engage for Change program.
OSL and OMEA and its employees reaffirm their ongoing commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by launching the Orange Engage for Change platform. That initiative, it was underscored, aims to have a positive impact on society and the environment, while strengthening team cohesion.
In terms of a collective commitment for a lasting impact it was stated that  Climatic events, societal upheavals and changing work patterns have created a pressing need for reference points and meaning among citizens, and their employees are no exception.
OSL and OMEA said they firmly believe that employee engagement is an essential key to meeting those challenges disclosing how the Orange Engage for Change program enables each employee to devote three working days a year to projects with a societal impact.
With regards to a platform to mobilize and inspire it was highlighted that the Orange Engage for Change is a web platform that provides a space for discovering, sharing and getting involved in societal projects.
According to them, it is accessible to all Orange Group employees to volunteer and to the general public for a better understanding of their commitments. The entities also informed how it is multi-country initiative that draws on the programs of the Orange Foundation and the Orange Digital Centers network, offering a structured framework, a solid infrastructure and varied opportunities to support and develop volunteer actions with their committed employees.
With reference to Concrete Actions for Real Impact they said it relates to a platform that offers environmental and social initiatives, solidly backed by the active commitment of the telecommunications entities employees. It was also mentioned that throughout the day on June 5, a number of local initiatives are being organized across the region to demonstrate the concrete impact of this platform.
According to the Press Release, in Mali, for example, a team of 200 Orange employee volunteers is taking part in the reforestation of an urban park dedicated to children by planting 1,000 trees, while in Côte d’Ivoire, 43 kilometers from Abidjan, 30 hectares in the Azaguié forest will be reforested thanks to 150 employees.
It was also make known that in 2023, OSL planted 3,000 trees at the Mortomeh Mudslide site at Hill Station thanks to participation of 150 employees and this year, OSL embarked on a beach cleaning exercise in partnership with the International Organization for Migration and the National Tourist Board. Those examples symbolize Orange’s commitment to supporting local projects that strengthen social ties and protect the environment.
Jerome Hénique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa stated that the launch of Orange Engage for Change symbolizes their deep commitment to corporate social responsibility. The CEO pointed out that by empowering their employees to get directly involved in positive impact projects, they are contributing to the sustainable development of communities in the countries where they operate.”
Asma Ennalfer, Executive Director of CSR and Communications at Orange Middle East and Africa and Secretary General of the Orange Digital Center Foundation added that the platform is a powerful tool for uniting their teams around shared values.
According to the Executive Director every initiative, every action taken by their employees demonstrates their collective ability to bring about significant change adding how they are proud to see that commitment come to fruition and to witness the positive impact it generates.
Sekou Amadou Bah, CEO of Orange Sierra Leone commented that through that platform, together, they have the power to collectively transform society & make a difference through their CSR approach by connecting with  local communities, training & outreach to create a positive impact in the daily lives of the people of Sierra Leone.
With Orange Engage for Change, it was stated, Orange gets closer to people by investing in and actively supporting local initiatives in favor of inclusion and the environment.
To find out more about the Orange Engage for Change platform and the social projects deployed by the Orange Group, log on to engageforchange.orange.com. Discover the testimonials of beneficiaries and employees.
