Emory Cares: Lend a helping (fore)hand

You can't turn your back on Emory Cares! Emory alumni around the world stepped up to help their communities during Emory Cares, and many of their projects were fascinating. In Barcelona, Spain, Carlos Hornstein 05MBA organized a tennis tournament to fund a school project in Mali. A total of 120 players participated and nearly $8,000 was raised for the Global Play Foundation. The foundation's logo is on the back of this player's shirt above. A better look at the logo can be found to the right. And an even better look can be seen on Global Play's website.

Since Emory Cares service projects are volunteer-led, the creativity shown by alumni leaders can be incredibly exciting. Take one of Emory Cares’ international projects … In Barcelona, Spain, a foundation created by a Goizueta alumnus organized a mixed-doubles tennis tournament to raise money for the construction of a sports field in the West African nation of Mali, one of the world’s poorest countries.

Fundación Global Play (Global Play Foundation) is a Barcelona-based, nonprofit humanitarian organization that aims to improve education, school resources, and school infrastructure to provide better access to learning for children in developing countries. Global Play’s founding president, Carlos Hornstein 05MBA, was the driving force behind the Emory Cares tournament, November 16–17, at Barcelona’s Club Turó David Lloyd.

“If you are passionate about what you believe and you surround yourself with people with similar values and dedication, you can accomplish anything,” said Hornstein, who marshaled 17 other volunteers—including fellow Goizueta alumni Fernando Clariana 04MBA and Raed El-Younsi 05MBA—to help organize this year’s tournament, which rasied nearly $8,000.

This was the second year Global Play has raised a racquet as part of Emory Cares, and the event is growing quickly. The 2007 tournament drew 120 players—double the size of the inaugural tournament—and 23 local and international sponsors. Child care and other youth-oriented craft activities were provided for the youngest fans, and members of the top four teams each received individual trophies as well as special trophies adorned with ebony figures carved by Malian craft artists.

Hornstein established Global Play in mid-2005. He said he was inspired after meeting former President Jimmy Carter, University Distinguished Professor, during a class he took at Emory. Global Play was officially registered as a nonprofit in Spain the following year, and in October 2007 the foundation was registered in Mali. Hornstein said he hopes to expand the foundation to the United States and that process is already under way (with the help of another Emory alumnus, Eran Gil 05MBA).

The money raised from the tournament will fund a sports field for a school in the village Yendouma, one of three schools in central Mali that Global Play is assisting. The field will be completed in June. Though a young organization, Global Play has already forged strong connections around the world. Global Play representatives (called “Global Players ”) are located in seven countries spread across four continents.

Global Play’s work in Mali is relatively advanced as well. This summer, Hornstein said, volunteers will have the opportunity to travel to Mali and combine tourism with service, collaborating with the foundation’s three partner schools.

Although he is an ocean away from campus, Hornstein’s ties to his alma mater remain strong. Both Emory University and The Carter Center are listed in Global Play’s “Committee of Honor.” And he also has strong feelings about the Emory Alumni Association’s signature service project.

“Our desire is that the tennis tournament becomes an annual event in collaboration with Emory Cares,” Hornstein said.—Eric Rangus