Humanitarian action across the globe

Each year on 19 August, World Humanitarian Day honours those who work tirelessly to improve the lives of others. At ATPI, this day serves as a powerful reminder of the role we all play in building a more compassionate world, not only through our work, but through the choices we make to support our communities.

Across our global network, colleagues have shown that humanitarian action can take many forms. This article brings together just some of the powerful stories shared through ATPI Inspires, stories that reflect our commitment to giving back, not just on one day, but all year round.

Investing in impact that lasts

In a world where humanitarian needs continue to rise, the team at ATPI Dubai has proven that corporate commitment can translate into meaningful, life-changing action. Since 2022, the office has proudly partnered with the Sparkle Foundation: a charity focused on providing vulnerable children and families in Malawi with access to healthcare, education, nutrition, and safety.

For Lynn Coutts, Managing Director Middle East, the partnership goes beyond charity, it’s a fundamental part of how the business operates.

“As a profitable and responsible business, we invest not just in our operations, but in our people, our values, and our purpose,” she explains. “Partnering with Sparkle reflects our ESG and CSR ambitions in a tangible and lasting way.”

Through a combination of fundraising, sponsorship, volunteering, awareness-building, and global engagement, the Dubai team has provided significant support to Sparkle’s three community sites in Malawi. This includes:

• Funding a minibus, cutting down four-hour walks to schools and medical clinics, enabling access to emergency healthcare, education, and sport.
• Fitting out a classroom with IT equipment, supplies, and salaries for teaching staff – creating education opportunities for 75 children per year.
• Starting construction of a new classroom in 2025, expanding access to early childhood education for an additional 120 children.
• Sponsoring medical care, food and nutritional education for children and families who live in extreme poverty.

But the impact isn’t measured in figures alone. As Johanne Presch, Events and Implementation Manager, puts it:

“It’s about raising awareness, building emotional connections, and creating long-term pathways out of poverty. Every classroom, every meal, every medical visit helps build a future where opportunity is possible.”

The ripple effects have reached far beyond the office walls. The team’s efforts have engaged local businesses (including IADC members and Safa Oil), inspired UAE schools to get involved, and even led to volunteering trips to Malawi, including rebuilding efforts after Cyclone Freddy. Staff also got hands-on through activities like pencil case design workshops, festive donations, and participation in Sparkle’s annual gala.

Looking ahead, the Dubai team is exploring the possibility of ATPI Sparkle Apprenticeships – bridging education with employment by offering life-changing job opportunities for Sparkle students.

In Lynn’s words: “Who knows, perhaps our future CEO is studying in a Sparkle classroom right now. What a legacy that would be.”

Lunchtime with purpose

From classrooms in Malawi to lunch bags in Houston, these initiatives highlight how acts of compassion, big or small, can create real change.

Wendy Soileau, Human Resources Manager at ATPI Houston, shared how their US team partnered with Kids Meals, a local organisation committed to ending childhood hunger. The initiative saw ATPI staff decorate hundreds of brown paper lunch bags, which were then filled with nutritious meals by other volunteers and distributed to underprivileged preschool children in the local community.

“There’s something deeply moving about knowing you’ve helped a child who didn’t have enough to eat,” said Wendy. “It’s heartbreaking to imagine a little one going to bed hungry, but it’s equally powerful to realise that you can change that.”

Each decorated bag not only helped feed a child in need but also carried with it a message of care and dignity. The project directly supports Kids Meals’ ability to deliver up to 15,000 meals daily during the summer months, when school-aged children are out of term and hunger rates spike.

The experience also brought the Houston team closer together, fostering collaboration and a shared sense of purpose.

“It gave us a sense of unity. We were working for something greater than ourselves, helping kids in our own community.”

Wendy also highlighted the importance of corporate engagement in humanitarian causes: “When companies like ATPI show that they care about more than profits, it builds trust. People want to support brands that stand for something meaningful. Stronger communities lead to healthier, more stable environments, which benefits everyone, including business itself.”

Global blood donation drive

One of the most powerful acts of giving is the one that saves lives. That’s the philosophy behind the ATPI Global Blood Drive, an Inspires initiative that began in support of World Blood Donation Day and quickly grew into a global movement across ATPI offices.

Employees are encouraged to visit their local blood donation centres, either individually or with colleagues and register their efforts via ATPI Inspires, helping us collectively track our impact. From selfies in donation chairs to group donations at office-organised drives, the initiative became a symbol of teamwork, humanity, and compassion.

“It gave a strong sense of empowerment and genuine satisfaction in helping others, without expecting anything in return,” said Shailesh Jadhav, Senior Manager of Administration in Mumbai, whose team played a leading role in driving participation in India.

For many, it was their first time donating blood. “I had always wanted to, but had personal fears,” shared Swapna Narvekar, Manager Application Development. “Seeing a senior colleague donate inspired me to do it too, and I felt proud, I realised there’s really nothing to fear.” Swapna wasn’t alone: several employees shared how the supportive atmosphere helped them overcome nerves and experience the power of giving.

“The moment I donated blood was unforgettable,” Shailesh continued. “Going through the process and realising that it could save someone’s life brought an incredible sense of fulfilment.”

Vinod Rao, Senior Manager, Accounts & Finance, echoed the emotion: “Just a few minutes of my time could potentially save a life, that realisation was powerful. Seeing so many colleagues come forward created a strong sense of unity.”

The impact of the campaign has been both immediate and emotional. Employees reported feeling a deep sense of pride and connection, knowing that their small action could make a life-saving difference. “It also fostered a sense of unity among colleagues who came together for a common humanitarian purpose,” said Sumana Baug, Senior Executive, Accounts.

It’s initiatives like this that truly showcase what ATPI Inspires is all about, empowering our people to make meaningful contributions to society, while fostering a culture of compassion and community.

“It’s absolutely essential,” Shailesh added. “Companies have a unique opportunity to empower employees by creating meaningful ways to give back and contribute to the greater good.”

Commitment to youth development

In the UK, ATPI Manchester has made a lasting impact through its long-term involvement with HideOut Youth Zone, a dedicated safe space in Gorton that supports the development of young people across Manchester and Salford

Charlotte Harris, Head of Energy and Middle East Marketing, has been at the forefront of ATPI’s efforts to help build confidence, provide guidance, and create real-world opportunities for young people in the local community.

“The Inspires project I took part in focused on supporting HideOut Youth Zone in Manchester, with the aim of creating meaningful opportunities for young people to build confidence, develop employability skills, and explore future career paths.”

The project included a wide variety of initiatives, from offering work experience placements at ATPI and donating school uniforms to volunteering at summer clubs, running career workshops, and supporting the production of a corporate film that is to be entirely written, shot, and edited by the young people themselves.

“What truly motivated me to get involved was seeing the real need for accessible support within the local community,” Charlotte said. “HideOut does incredible work and being part of that felt like a genuinely meaningful way to give back.”

The impact of the project has been both immediate and long-term. Young people gained new skills and confidence, while seeing first-hand that businesses like ATPI are committed to investing in their future.

“It didn’t just offer short-term support, it helped build self-belief, ambition, and practical skills that will benefit these young people well into the future.”

Charlotte also reflected on how personally rewarding the experience was: “There was a genuine sense of purpose in every part of the project, whether we were mentoring, fundraising, or simply spending time with the young people at the Youth Zone.”

She believes it’s crucial for businesses to step into this space: “Companies like ATPI have the resources and reach to make a real difference beyond just business. Supporting humanitarian causes should be part of any modern business model.”

Bringing joy and dignity to young lives

As part of their annual team gathering, the ATPI Cape Town office dedicated time to giving back by visiting the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, a historic and vital institution in South Africa. In partnership with the Children’s Hospital Trust, the team brought gifts of colouring books and crayons to children on the ward.

What began as a simple act of kindness became something far more meaningful. “It was incredible to see how something so small could light up a room,” said Anthony Simpson, Head of Africa Mining Travel. “The smiles of a young boy in bed with a neurological disorder certainly tugged at our hearts.”

This was the second year the Cape Town team visited the hospital, drawn back by the humility and strength of the young patients they had met the year before. Their courage, despite facing immense challenges, left a lasting impression.

“These kids teach us something profound: joy can exist alongside struggle, hope is powerful, and the way we face our own challenges can be forever changed by their example,” Anthony added.

The Cape Town office also joined forces with the Dischem Foundation on Mandela Day to support a sanitary product drive for school-aged girls, a campaign designed to ensure that girls are not held back from education due to lack of access to menstrual products. Thanks to a donation matching initiative from Dischem, ATPI’s contribution was doubled, helping even more young women attend school with confidence and dignity.

“In our own small way, we were able to help girls across South Africa feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive,” said Belinda Berman, Corporate Supervisor.

A collective commitment to humanity

These stories reflect just a few of the many ways our people around the world are making a difference, in communities, classrooms, clinics, kitchens, and beyond. World Humanitarian Day reminds us that compassion is a force for change, and at ATPI, that force lives in every initiative, every employee, and every act of giving. Because when businesses act with purpose, people and the planet benefits.