The Western Union Foundation, through its Agent Giving Program, and thirty-two Western Union Agents in Africa, today announced the donation of a US$200,000 grant to SOS Children’s Villages, confirming its continuous support for education.  Dr. Israel Ofei of the International Senate for SOS Children’s Villages, accepted the grant on behalf of the organization during Western Union’s celebration of its 20th anniversary in Africa.

The Western Union Foundation Agent Giving Program provides one-for-one matches on qualifying Western Union Agent donations to eligible nonprofit organizations in support of education, economic opportunity and disaster relief. Western Union Agents have generously contributed to this project which will benefit 15 African countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, and Zambia. 

Patrick Gaston, President of the Western Union Foundation, said, “The Foundation is dedicated to creating a better world, where the ability to make dreams come true through economic opportunity is not a privilege for a few but a right for all. This grant will directly impact more than 700* orphaned, abandoned, and other vulnerable African children, increasing educational access opportunities for them through school fee scholarships and distribution of critical school supplies; improving the quality of education at primary, elementary and secondary level through the construction of new facilities, provisioning of enrichment activities; and the inclusion of new technology in the curriculum.”

SOS Children’s Villages is an international organization that builds families for orphaned, abandoned and other vulnerable children. Across the world, millions of lives are impacted by the organization’s family support and care programs, medical centers, schools and emergency relief efforts. 

“We are incredibly thankful to the Western Union Foundation for this generous gift that will help improve the lives of vulnerable children living in Africa today,” said Dr. Ofei upon receiving the grant. “These children have lived through unimaginable circumstances. With this gift, they will be given the education, tools and support needed to help them rise up and achieve their dreams. This will no doubt make a positive impact on their lives and their communities.”

“The Western Union Foundation works with NGOs that share its priorities of lifting people out of poverty through education,” said Patrick Gaston. “Our work with SOS Children’s Villages is the ideal way of reaching out to children and making a difference in their lives. Through this project, we encourage and enable children to strive for a high-quality education.” 

The Western Union Foundation has a long history of giving back to communities across the African continent, with its first of many grants made in 2001, shortly after the Foundation was launched. Since then we have continued our support, and in many cases, worked together with Western Union Agents to support organizations that promote economic opportunity and growth for individuals, families and entire communities throughout the region. Since its creation, the Foundation has committed US$8.931 million in grants to 159 NGOs in more than 40 countries across Africa.**

* Estimated based on cost per kid

** Statistics as of Q3 2015                

About Western Union
The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU) is a leader in global payment services. Together with its Vigo, Orlandi Valuta, Pago Facil and Western Union Business Solutions branded payment services, Western Union provides consumers and businesses with fast, reliable and convenient ways to send and receive money around the world, to send payments and to purchase money orders. As of June 30, 2015, the Western Union, Vigo and Orlandi Valuta branded services were offered through a combined network of over 500,000 agent locations in 200 countries and territories and over 100,000 ATMs and kiosks, and included the capability to send money to millions of bank accounts. In 2014, The Western Union Company completed 255 million consumer-to-consumer transactions worldwide, moving $85 billion of principal between consumers, and 484 million business payments. For more information, visit www.westernunion.com or www.wuafrica.com

About The Western Union Foundation
The Western Union Foundation is dedicated to creating a better world, where the ability to realize dreams through economic opportunity is not just a privilege for the few but a right for all. Through its signature program, Education for Better, and with the support of The Western Union Company, its employees, Agents, and business partners, The Western Union Foundation works to realize this vision by supporting education and disaster relief efforts as pathways toward a better future. Our combined social ventures efforts make life better for individuals, families and communities around the world. Since its inception, The Western Union Foundation has paid more than $103 million in grants and other giving. These funds have been pledged to more than 2,760 nongovernmental organizations in more than 136 countries and territories. The Western Union Foundation, is a separate §501(c)(3) recognized United States charity. To learn more, visit www.westernunionfoundation.org, or Follow us on Twitter @TheWUFoundation.

About SOS Children’s Villages
SOS Children’s Villages believes that every child deserves a loving home. We build families for orphaned, abandoned and other vulnerable children in 134 countries and territories, including the United States.

Founded in 1949, we provide children with the love and long-term support they need to shape their own futures - a stable family, quality medical care and the opportunity to learn.

Through our family support and care programs, medical centers, schools and emergency relief efforts we impact millions of lives worldwide. To learn more, visit www.sos-usa.org, or Follow us on Twitter @SOSChildrenUSA. 

Western Union

Western Union

The Western Union Company, a leader in global payment services, believes access to financial services is a necessity. Western Union moves money reliably and quickly to almost every country - and we do it for extraordinary people seeking a better life and for businesses that generate jobs and opportunity.

Our business changes lives for the better. So does the Western Union Foundation: since 2001, the Western Union Foundation has awarded more than $101.1 million in grants to more than 2,730 nongovernmental organizations in more than 135 countries and territories..

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