When our Chief Operating Officer, Domenic De Fazio and Brendan Dixon, Manager, Vic Profiling, set off for their Gone Fishing immersion experience in Nairobi, Kenya, they weren’t just seeking adventure, they were searching for understanding. What they found was an eye-opening journey that revealed the true meaning of resilience, hope, and humanity.
Discovering opportunity in Nairobi
Within the Mukuru community, Dom and Brendan saw firsthand how the Edmund Rice Foundation’s philosophy of empowerment is woven into daily life. Rather than focusing on what’s lacking, the Foundation champions a “hand up, not a handout” approach, enabling people to build self-sufficiency and resilience.
Local residents work together to create small businesses and support one another, finding dignity and joy in even the most challenging circumstances. The difference between hardship and hope, they observed, often comes down to access to resources and the opportunity to fulfil one’s potential. Something the Foundation is helping to make possible for families and communities across Nairobi.
Sustainable solutions in action
One story that stuck with Dom and Brendan was the transformation of a small dairy. With seed funding from the Foundation, the community started a small dairy. Through the Foundation’s support, they learnt how to run a business, learning skills such as marketing along the way. Today, the dairy is profitable, with 30 cows and a café. They are harnessing the methane gas from the cows powers the local school, a simple, sustainable solution that’s changing lives.
Hope in the heart of the community
The most rewarding moments came from interacting with the children. Their happiness and eagerness to learn were infectious. Despite the challenges, there was more hope than despair. Visiting the Edmund Rice Centre, Dom and Brendan saw firsthand the impact of education and healthcare on thousands of children and families. Behind the gates, the Ruben Centre is an oasis of hope, offering maternity care, dentistry, pathology, schooling, and support for special needs.
“Visiting the Ruben Centre was a powerful reminder that, even in the toughest conditions, hope and resilience flourish. The smiles of the children, the dedication of the staff, and the sense of community behind those gates truly embody what it means to build an oasis of hope.” — Brendan Dixon, Manager, Vic Profiling
BildGroup’s commitment to positive impact
When asked to describe their experience in three words, both Dom and Brendan agreed it was resilience, hope and humanity.
Over the past 20 years, BildGroup’s founding family has supported Edmund Rice Foundation projects in Kenya, believing in the power of opportunity. For several years, BildGroup has also been supporting the Foundation, enabled their employees, like Dom and Brendan see the projects they’re supporting up close. Through this immersion, they experience how welcoming the community is and how much they valued education as a pathway out of poverty.
BildGroup’s ongoing partnership with the Edmund Rice Foundation is about more than charity. It’s about creating opportunities and making a positive impact. The Foundation is an international development organisation supporting sustainable, community-based education programs in developing countries, as well as projects for marginalised and disadvantaged groups in Australia. Their vision is to provide access to quality education and lifelong learning for all, empowering communities to determine their own futures.
“Being part of the immersion was truly eye-opening. It made me realise how much we take for granted and how important it is to contribute meaningfully. Seeing firsthand the impact our work has on communities who otherwise wouldn’t have access to these opportunities was both humbling and motivating.” – Domenic De Fazio, Chief Operating Officer
Looking forward together
For those involved in the immersion, the experience was a privilege. It inspired a deeper commitment to success, knowing that their work is making a real difference. BildGroup’s ongoing support for these life-changing projects, and the company is looking to double the number of immersions each year, opening the opportunity to more staff.
In Australia, we’re fortunate to have government services and support. In Nairobi, many people aren’t even registered as citizens, and there’s no welfare safety net. That’s why businesses like BildGroup get involved to help those who aren’t being helped.
It’s a collective effort, and the strategic value of connecting with the community is clear: together, we’re fulfilling the potential of communities and making a positive, sustainable impact.
