GTO - Commendations
In honour of our 20th Anniversary celebrations we asked a few of our NGO’s what they had to say about the GTO Trust

Laura Hampson - UK
The GTO Is a fantastic organisation that builds up whole communities by helping them to undertake projects developed within the community. I was overawed on my Volunteer Trip to Zimbabwe by how excited everyone was to meet us – from the children receiving their daily meal at local schools who wanted to play, and the local football team challenging us to a match; to the young adults who worked with us to build a chicken coop (where they would learn valuable skills for their own villages) and the Community Health Care workers excited to tell us about their work and show off the bikes they use to expand their support to surrounding areas. Seeing the direct impact our donations make for those that need it most makes me proud to have been a GTO supporter for the last 10 years!

Gareth Digges La Touche – UK
“The GTO is something that has been taken to the hearts of many of our legacy Golder colleagues with a long term involvement in projects allowing people to see the tangible legacy of their support. The people and teams who make this happen are amazing and are really doing good things for people in need. Happy 20th GTO!”

Sergio Settanni, Italy
"Congratulations on the GTO 20th anniversary. The GTO has proven over 20 years that when we as a group work together we can achieve amazing things. It is part of our responsibility to give back to the communities where we live and work and the GTO is an excellent vehicle for achieving this. The European region, and specifically Italy is looking forward to growing our contributions to the GTO over the next 20 years!"

Ralph Heath, South Africa
The GTO has been a proud part of our DNA for the past 20 years and congratulations to the team, staff and countless volunteers. I have had the privilege of being a volunteer on two of the sites and visited 3 others. This was a truly humbling experience being exposed to the contagious enthusiasm of the children as well as the dedicated selfless staff who work tirelessly to make a difference for the needs of those less fortunate. The spiritual ethos, upliftment of the children, together with the commercial sustainability of the projects, has made the GTO a truly remarkable organisation. We are all extremely proud of how you have made a difference to so many in need.

Marie-Claude Dumas, Canada
“Part of WSPs ESG strategy is to make a better future for the communities where we live and work. Our partnership with GTO is one of the ways we are demonstrating this commitment. We look forward to working together to make a big difference around the world. Congratulations on the GTO 20th anniversary!”

Marc Chabot, Canada
"The GTO is a feel-good story that continues to be written every day. As the firm has evolved, it too has evolved to meet the challenges of today. I congratulate the multiple teams that work together globally to make this charity a special place and deliver great projects that make a difference in the local communities where they work. Happy 20th anniversary GTO!"

Tom Logan, US
“There are few initiatives that can stand the test of time especially in a corporate environment but the GTO has proven to be one of these things. Over twenty years, it has withstood downturns in markets, financial crises, global pandemics and acquisitions – this speaks to the value the GTO brings to both supporters and the recipients. The reason behind the longevity is the staunch supporters of the GTO – employees, managers, colleagues, and friends that have understood when we act together we can accomplish wonders. This is the wonderful legacy of the last 20 years – Congratulations GTO!”

Andy Haynes, Canada
"GTO has helped so many orphaned children over the last 20 years, and continues to do so. I am so proud of the great work done by numerous WSP staff that has been critical to this success. Hundreds of staff have donated money, and many have donated significant amounts of personal time. I am especially grateful for the sustained leadership of key WSP staff. I hope GTO continues to be as successful and meaningful in the years to come as it has been over the last 20 years!"

Neil McQuitty, Canada
“For 20 years the GTO has focused on providing support to vulnerable children in drastic need of help. The GTO is a homegrown charity funded largely by us, the employees of WSP, so we can take great pride in the incredible positive impact the GTO has created for so many children. Congratulations GTO on 20 years!”

Nancy Wilk, Canada
In 2009, when I first heard about the GTO, I was inspired by the genuine care, and level of support and volunteerism from this organization to help children in need. I was raised in a home by two parents that were eager to help others and lived out the principal that if we are generous with our time and resources, we can make the world a better place. Congratulations GTO on your 20th anniversary! Thank you for your work and thank you to the many individuals leading and supporting the GTO. Well done!!

Jay Norwood, USA
Congratulations GTO on an impressive 20 years of finding the right places for efficient and sustainable charitable investment around the world. The success stories are consistent and amazing as is the positive community impact of the completed projects. The persistence and passion of the leadership and project volunteers ensures that GTO accomplishments will continue long into the future. Thank you to them and all GTO donors for everything you have achieved… and here’s to 20 more years.

John Wates, South Africa
When the GTO was first conceived by Jon Howcroft more than 20 years ago it was widely supported but few thought it would grow to be what it is today. The vision of the founders however prevailed and thanks to the generous contributions in cash and in kind from the WSP global team the GTO has made a huge difference to the lives of so many orphaned and vulnerable children across the world. It is now part of the WSP DNA that supports an initiative befitting a 21st century company and its employees that appreciate the importance of being a valued member of the community in which they operate. I am proud to have been a part of this initiative and am sure that those of you who have contributed also feel the same. My wish is for the GTO to grow in influence and continue to serve those in need in the principled way upon which it was founded.

John Thornley, US
"Wow, 20 years already? I would like to wish GTO a very happy anniversary. Having been personally impacted by the orphaning of southern Africa and having participated with GTO in Zimbabwe some years ago, I can say the benefits from our support of GTO are real and tangible. GTO’s thoughtful approach provides sustainable support to those who need it most. We should all feel proud of the meaningful projects that have been implemented and the improvements to daily life resulting from our support. Cheers to another 20 years to come!

Scott Fidler, Australia
“The GTO has achieved so much in its first 20 years and changed so many lives for the better in that time. Opportunities have been created for many vulnerable children that never would have been possible without the money and time generously given by our people. It all started with our colleagues in Africa wanting to do something meaningful to make a difference in the face of the unimaginable scale of impacts from the AIDS epidemic in South Africa. It is an incredible achievement that the GTO has generated and sustained support from our people across the globe over such a long period of time and extended its work to now support vulnerable children in a number of countries around the world. Sadly, the need for that support has not diminished over time. I encourage everyone to consider giving to the GTO, not just now on the occasion of its 20th anniversary but on an ongoing basis.”