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Gandys: Orphans Helping Orphans

British brothers Rob and Paul Forkan, who lost their parents in the 2004 tsunami, founded the footwear company Gandys and the charity Orphans for Orphans to support other orphans. Their eco-friendly flip-flops became popular, allowing them to open a children's home in Sri Lanka and expand their charity work globally. The Forkans' story illustrates resilience and the potential for positive outcomes following tragedy.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
20 views4 pages

Gandys: Orphans Helping Orphans

British brothers Rob and Paul Forkan, who lost their parents in the 2004 tsunami, founded the footwear company Gandys and the charity Orphans for Orphans to support other orphans. Their eco-friendly flip-flops became popular, allowing them to open a children's home in Sri Lanka and expand their charity work globally. The Forkans' story illustrates resilience and the potential for positive outcomes following tragedy.

Uploaded by

fannys.prieto
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Audioscript

READING
Track 22
How do you build a children’s home out of flip-flops?

Moving to India

British brothers Rob and Paul Forkan have experienced tragedy and success in their
short and unusual lives. When they were still children, their parents took them out of
school in the UK and moved the family to India to travel and do charity work.

Facing tragedy

Tragedy struck in 2004 when the Asian tsunami hit the coast of Sri Lanka, where the
Forkans were staying. The giant wave killed their parents, but Rob (17), Paul (15) and
their younger brother and sister survived. The children, now orphans, were able to
hitchhike across Sri Lanka to the airport. From there, they could fly back to Britain,
where friends and family were waiting.

An idea for solidarity


© MACMILLAN EDUCATION / Photocopiable material

Six years later, the brothers decided to do something in memory of their parents. Their
idea was simple. Make and sell attractive casual footwear and use the profits to help
other orphans. Their company Gandys and their charity Orphans for Orphans were
born.

Gandys’ ethos

After a lot of hard work and with the support of celebrity customers such as Richard
Branson and Jamie Oliver, the comfortable rubber flip-flops became a hit. Customers
love Gandys’ stylish, fashionable and eco-friendly designs and that the brothers give
ten per cent of the profits to their charity. In 2014, Orphans for Orphans opened its first
children’s home in Sri Lanka. They now also work with schools, charities and education
professionals in Guatemala, Brazil, Ghana, Malawi, Bali, Nepal and Mongolia.

Cool flip-flops

In 2014, the brothers got an invitation to Buckingham Palace; they ignored the dress
code and looked cool in their colourful flip-flops!

Conclusion

Rob and Paul’s story shows that positive can follow negative and that you don’t have to
wear a smart suit to be successful in business!

1
Professional English Hub II - Student’s Book
Audioscript

Track 23
attractive

casual

colourful

cool

fashionable

smart

stylish

youthful

PRONUNCIATION
Track 24
1. You must not wear large earrings.
© MACMILLAN EDUCATION / Photocopiable material

2. You can wear a baseball cap.


3. You must leave your coat downstairs.
4. You can’t hang your coat on your chair.

LISTENING
Track 25
B = Barry G = Gemma
G: Good morning. You must be Barry. I’m Gemma.
B: Oh mmmm hmmfff … sorry. I’m just finishing my sandwich!
G: That’s OK … Egg sandwich, is it?
B: Er … Yes, egg. Sorry. My favourite. Nice to meet you, Emma.
G: It’s Gemma.
B: Pardon?
G: It’s Gemma, not Emma.
B: Sorry! What a terrible start.
G: Please don’t worry, Barry. Gemma. Lockwood. Base One IT Services. I work in
Human Resources. Sorry we’re a bit delayed today. Have you been here long?
B: Actually, I’ve been here since 9 am.
G: You’ve been here for … three hours?

2
Professional English Hub II - Student’s Book
Audioscript

B: Yes, well, I didn’t want to be late. That’s why I was hungry.


G: OK … well … er … good! Come in and have a seat.
B: Thanks.
G: So, Barry, we are looking for people to work at our head office in the customer
services team. First, could you tell me a little about yourself?
B: Ha ha. OK. Well, I’m Barry. I’m er … 23 years old. Single, male, blonde hair. Rather
nervous in interviews … ha. I er … I’m one metre tall, I have a cat called Yoda and I
love … er … egg sandwiches, ha ha, and … erm … computers and … wait, did I just
say one metre tall? Ha ha sorry. Er … I’m one metre seventy tall, and I …
G: Er … Barry, perhaps we could focus on your work experience. You work for a
telemarketing company at the moment, is that right? How long have you worked
there?
B: Er, well, I left my old job in June … and now it’s … well, I … I’ve worked at the call
centre for six weeks. Have you read my CV? I did send one. I mean, I wrote everything
there, so …
G: Er … yes, but … tell me more. For example, why do you want to change jobs and
work for Base One?
B: Oh, well, that’s easy; I hate my job at the call centre! I sit on the phone all day long
asking people questions and nobody wants to talk to me. People get really angry and
© MACMILLAN EDUCATION / Photocopiable material

sometimes, well, they put the phone down.

Track 26
1
G: Can you tell me about a time when you worked as part of a team?
B: Erm, you mean a real example?
G: Er, yes.
B: Let me think … err, I … erm, actually … err …
2
G: It says on your CV that you enjoy skydiving. Wow! How long have you been
interested in that?
B: Oh, well. I’ve liked skydiving since I was a teenager. It just looks so exciting! I’ve
always wanted to try it.
3
G: And French poetry?
B: What?
G: Your CV says you enjoy French poetry.
B: Does it? Oh yes! That’s right. Of course, French poetry – love it.

3
Professional English Hub II - Student’s Book
Audioscript

VOCABULARY
Track 27
be self-employed
be unemployed
do an internship
earn a salary
gain work experience
get a bonus
get a pay rise
get a promotion
take a day off
work long hours
work regular hours
work shifts
© MACMILLAN EDUCATION / Photocopiable material

Track 28
account(s)
challenge(s)
job(s)
perfectionist(s)
pressure(s)
project(s)
question(s)
strength(s)

4
Professional English Hub II - Student’s Book

Common questions

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The business strategy employed by the Forkan brothers is multifaceted, combining social impact with fashion appeal. They capitalized on the appeal of 'cool', eco-friendly flip-flops to attract customers, leveraging celebrity endorsements from figures like Richard Branson and Jamie Oliver to enhance brand visibility. Their strategic commitment to donate ten percent of profits to their charity further differentiates the brand in a competitive market by aligning with consumers' growing preference for socially responsible businesses. This combination of ethical business practice, marketable product design, and strategic partnerships underpins their success .

Rob and Paul Forkan’s journey illustrates the power of resilience, innovation, and social consciousness in business and life. From tragedy, they crafted a unique enterprise that not only sustains their livelihood but also advances a humanitarian cause. Their ability to transform personal loss into a movement that supports others highlights the importance of aligning business practices with personal values. Their success story reinforces that creative problem-solving, coupled with a commitment to ethical impact, can lead to formidable success and meaningful change .

Barry's interview illustrates several common challenges faced by candidates, such as nervousness, which may lead to forgetfulness or mistakes like misstating their height. His humorous self-deprecation regarding egg sandwiches and awkward corrections suggest a struggle to present himself confidently. Further, his difficulty in articulating his work experience or team collaboration demonstrates the challenge of effectively communicating past experiences. These issues highlight the importance of preparation and composure in conveying competence and suitability for a role during interviews .

After surviving the tsunami that struck Sri Lanka in 2004, Rob and Paul Forkan, along with their younger siblings, faced the challenge of being stranded in a foreign country as orphans. They demonstrated resilience and resourcefulness by hitchhiking across Sri Lanka to reach an airport, where they managed to secure a flight back to Britain. Their ability to navigate this crisis as teenagers underscores their determination and adaptability .

The tragic experience of losing their parents in the 2004 Asian tsunami influenced Rob and Paul Forkan to create a business that would honor their parents' legacy through solidarity. Six years after the event, they established 'Gandys', a company producing casual footwear, with profits directed to their charity 'Orphans for Orphans'. This venture not only commemorates their parents but also supports other orphans, showing how personal loss can be channeled into positive, impactful social initiatives .

Celebrity endorsement played a significant role in the success of the Gandys brand by leveraging the influence and reach of well-known figures like Richard Branson and Jamie Oliver. Such endorsements add credibility and visibility to the brand, attracting a wider audience and enhancing public interest. The alignment with celebrities known for their humanitarian efforts further reinforces Gandys's social mission, making the brand appealing to consumers who value both fashion and philanthropy .

Ethos is central to Gandys' business model, as the company commits to donating a portion of its profits to support orphans through the 'Orphans for Orphans' charity. This ethical stance not only honors the founders' personal history but also resonates with consumers who prioritize social responsibility. By embedding philanthropy into its core operations, Gandys fosters customer loyalty, encouraging repeat business from those who value ethical consumption. This commitment to a greater cause differentiates the brand in a crowded marketplace and encourages engagement from a conscientious customer base .

The story of Gandys exemplifies how businesses can drive social change by integrating a charitable ethos into their operational model. By directing a portion of profits to support orphaned children globally, Gandys demonstrates a definitive impact beyond commercial success. This approach showcases the capacity of businesses to address societal issues while maintaining profitability, offering a model for companies seeking to balance financial and social objectives. It underscores the notion that businesses are not merely economic entities but can be potent catalysts for social betterment .

Other companies can learn from Gandys' successful integration of eco-friendly and stylish designs with a compelling brand story that appeals to modern consumers. By creating products that are fashionable yet socially responsible, Gandys showed that ecological sustainability and aesthetic appeal need not be mutually exclusive. Their branding strategy effectively combines style with a strong ethical narrative, proving that authenticity and purpose can be strong differentiators in the marketplace. Companies can emulate this by ensuring their products and values resonate with customer ideals, creating lasting brand loyalty .

To enhance his interview performance, Barry could benefit from better preparation to accurately convey his strengths and experiences. This includes reviewing his CV to align his verbal responses with documented skills and interests, such as his stated enjoyment of French poetry. Additionally, practicing common interview questions and developing concise narratives about his work experiences would help him communicate more effectively. Barry should also manage his nerves through relaxation techniques to improve his focus and confidence, which are essential for making a positive impression .

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