In the true spirit of the season, Clark Marriott Hotel launched Kindness Travels, a corporate social responsibility initiative held in partnership with the Hann Foundation and the Department of Education. The campaign reflects the hotel’s belief that kindness is meant to travel, reaching hearts, bringing hope, and inspiring dreams.
The CSR initiative was led by Paolo Vinuya, PR & Strategic Alliances Manager, and Edna Al Sharhan, Director of Human Resources, in partnership with the Hann Foundation. It became an immersive experience for the Clark Marriott Hotel team, who personally visited the students and worked closely with school representatives to understand their needs, their learning environment, and the challenges they face each day.
During their visit, the team met students whose stories touched every heart. Many of them wake up before sunrise to prepare for school, walking for more than two hours along grassy, rocky paths that turn slippery and treacherous when it rains. Despite the distance and danger, they arrive with smiles and an eagerness to learn. Some attend class with worn-out shoes or none at all. Others bring little or no food for recess, relying on the generosity of their teachers who quietly share what they can, so their students never have to study on an empty stomach.
These children’s perseverance tells a story of courage beyond their years. They dream of becoming teachers, doctors, engineers, and leaders who can uplift their families and give back to their communities. Their determination to learn, even in hardship, reminds everyone that hope often shines brightest in the most humble places.
As part of the Kindness Travels program, Clark Marriott Hotel shared school essentials, grocery items, and financial support with the students, helping ease some of their daily burdens while encouraging them to keep pursuing their dreams.
The students later attended Clark Marriott Hotel’s Christmas Tree and Marriott Bonvoy Lantern Lighting Ceremony, where they watched in awe as the hotel’s iconic tree illuminated the night. Its glow reflected in their eyes — a moving symbol that each of them carries a light within, one that deserves to be nurtured so their dreams can shine just as brightly.
To make the evening even more memorable, the students and their school advisers were treated to a dinner buffet at Goji Kitchen + Bar. Wide-eyed with excitement, they explored the buffet counters, carefully choosing dishes they had never tried before. Some shared their favorite parts of the day over plates of pasta and desserts, while others spoke about the dreams they hope to achieve someday. Many said they wished their parents and siblings could join them and taste the food too, showing how their joy is always connected to family. For most, it was their first time dining in a hotel restaurant, an experience that was both joyful and deeply aspirational, inspiring them to dream bigger and work harder for a brighter future.
“Kindness Travels serves as a reminder that giving back is not just an act of service but a shared journey of hope,” said General Manager Brian Shin. “Each small gesture can spark change, light a dream, and remind others that they are never alone in their pursuit of a better future.”
Through initiatives like Kindness Travels, Clark Marriott Hotel continues to champion compassion, connection, and community. The program reflects not only the spirit of the holidays but also the enduring heart of hospitality — a kindness that truly travels.
