MOT's Identity and History

Voice of the Cape [27 February 2024] – with MOT SA Country Director, Viola Manual and MOT Youth, Imaan Ismael along with Terence Klassen, a MOT Coach and former principal of Fairmount Secondary School: 4-week series for the Hello Campaign [Week 4]

Voice of the Cape [20 February 2024] – with MOT SA Country Director, Viola Manual and MOT Youth Jehan Abrahams and Kino Moni from MOT partnering school, Gardens Commercial High School: 4-week series for the Hello Campaign.

Tune in to listen to MOT SA Country Director share more on the topic of Bullying.

Tune in to the podcast episode of the Good Things Guy podcast as Viola Manuel, MOT SA Country Director, chats with Brent Lindeque and shares insights into the MOT Concept and its profound impact on youth empowerment. Learn about the origins of MOT, founded by Norwegian top athletes after the 1994 Winter Olympics, with a mission to prevent social problems in society. Discover how the MOT Concept strengthens youth's robustness, awareness, and courage, equipping them with the resilience to navigate life's challenges.

Lotus High School’s principal, Mr Price highlighted how the Hello Campaign injected vibrancy into the school environment, as it appealed to the younger generation. With a focus on discipline and academics, Mr Price, brought in to assist Lotus High, credited MOT SA and the Hello Campaign for contributing to the positive changes at the school.

Explore how MOT SA and the Hello Campaign contributed to positive changes at MOT SA's partnering school, Lotus High.

Viola Manuel, Country Director of MOT, sets the stage for our series on Voice of the Cape, introducing MOT's mission and goals, the role of MOT coaches in shaping youth, and community impact. Tune in as Viola shares expansion plans and impactful stories surrounding MOT's Hello Campaign.

Welcome to Episode 6 of our podcast, delving into the monumental chapter of "MOT's Big Bang."

Just before Christmas in 1996, Atle and Johann took their vision to the Norwegian Prime Minister, sharing their plans for MOT. To their astonishment, the Prime Minister spoke about MOT in his national TV speech, applauding Atle and Johann as top athletes taking responsibility to help the youth. This unexpected acknowledgment marked the prelude to MOT's official birth, which occurred just a few weeks later.

In February 1997, during the Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, MOT was founded. Johann addressed a crowd of 45,000 people in the ski jumping arena, making a powerful appeal. Journalists from national and international outlets flocked to MOT's new offices, graciously furnished by local stores and located in Customs buildings renovated and decorated by Atle's customs colleagues. The day symbolized MOT's big bang, with two employees—Atle and a young office worker—ushering in MOT's reality. By April 1997, MOT secured its first major cooperating partner, and in June, the first group of 30 MOT coaches were trained, commencing the first MOT sessions in September 1997.

And the story doesn't stop there.

MOT's impact extended globally, establishing its presence in several countries:

• South Africa became an independent organization in 2008, stemming from a project that began in 2006. The spark originated from a chance encounter during a teacher exchange program between a Norwegian college and the College of Cape Town.

• Denmark embraced MOT in 2013, with Uno-X Denmark's CEO, a business partner of MOT Norway, playing a key role in establishing MOT in Denmark.

• Thailand joined the MOT family in 2015, with a pilot initiative starting in 2009 after a fortuitous meeting during a private trip to Thailand.

• Latvia, too, welcomed MOT in 2015, thanks to the CEO of Narvesen in Latvia, a Norwegian company and MOT Norway's business partner, expressing interest during a MOT speech for international leaders in the Reitan Group.

The impact of MOT reached further than expected, transforming lives and communities around the world.

But there's more to the story. In December 2010, Atle received a poignant SMS from Mona, the ex-drug addict he had met on the train in 1996.

Dear Atle… Do you remember the girl Atle met on the train in 1996? In December 2010 Atle suddenly got an sms from her after no contact since 1996. She wrote as follows:

SMS 2/12-2010

Dear Atle  Long time no see… This is Mona, the ex-drug addict lady from Trondheim… Remember me, from back in the 90ies? You’ve always been with me in my mind. You were the first one who truly believed that I could stop taking that shit. I’ve been off the drugs for 3 nearly 4 years now. And now I’m talking about REALLY off. I’m on methadone now, but I plan to reduce it. I have a beautiful 2 year old son and life is good I hope we can get in touch again, because I’m moving back to Trondheim in a year. Big hug, Mona

Wow… This was very emotional. Of course Atle wrote back to her and they met over a cup of coffee. A while after that, Atle got an email from Mona:

Hi Atle,

It was so good to see you again. Our meeting caused a lot of thoughts and feelings afterwards. My God, I was having a tough time those days when I first got to know you. However, you were the first to listen to me and also the first one I listened to… Because of you Atle, my new life without drugs got a beginning. Because you made me want something more, more than living my life in hell. Because being on heroin, tablets and cocaine every day, it takes away everything from you. Your dreams and hopes becomes something distant… Because I didn’t live, I only existed. That’s why it’s so important with people like you, who are like sunshine, with bright rays that open ones’ eyes. I don’t think you know the impact you had on me and my life Atle.

Wishing you a lovely Easter!

Big hug from Mona

Welcome to Episode 5 of our podcast, where the narrative unfolds with "A Passion for People."

The calendar project went on. After Christmas 1996 Atle went for a boarder control on the train between Sweden and Norway. He and his colleagues arrested a young girl, "Mona". She was both carrying/smuggling drugs and also under the influence of drugs. Atle sat with her on the train and started asking questions; Why? What could have been different? Why do you take drugs etc. When they arrived in Trondheim they brought her to the police station according to standard procedures. They were met by a female police officer. Atle, who during the train trip got to know "Mona" quite well, was very upset by the way the female police officer treated her: she just pushed "Mona" into a prison cell and then she just sat down and continued reading her weekly "rumour" magazine. Atle was still upset about this when he came home that night. The way "Mona" was treated would definitely not stop her from taking and smuggling drugs. "We must work proactively," he said. The idea about making this into more than just a calendar project continued growing and became even clearer to him. He started "dreaming" about founding an organisation, getting employees, offices, collaborating partners etc.

Join us as we explore Atle's burgeoning passion for making a lasting impact on people's lives, leading to the conception of an organization that would become the driving force behind MOT's mission.

Welcome to Episode 4 of our podcast, where we unravel the intriguing story of "The Calendar Project."

Atle asked his best friend Johann (who had just won three gold Olympic gold medals) to join him in producing the calendar and they went to meet with the President of the Norwegian top athletes’ association. He said: «Great idea, boys! Go on with it and I will support you! Take this bunch of letter-paper with the Olympic rings on it. It may be useful when you shall send letters asking for help and support.» So, the first letters that were sent from the calendar project were written on these letter-papers! The rest of the year of 1994 was characterized by meetings with many great supporters, people that believed in the idea and inspired Atle. Which was very important in this phase!

May 1994 Calendar: Pictures of the very first top athletes were published, very famous and popular, and they had all said yes to having their picture in the calendar. There were so many who were positive!

Atle and the photographer Ludvig: (Ludvig invented the aerodynamic Donald Duck-skating suit. Actually, this was what Atle became most famous for!). Atle and Ludvig travelled all over Norway taking pictures of the top athletes. A nice, but very HECTIC, period of time!

The calendar became a success. 45 000 calendars were printed. One was given to every class room as Atle had planned. It was also sold to sports clubs and other leisure time organisations. This generated a nice surplus. Half of it was given to the Customs to train a sniffer dog/narcotics dog and the other half was given to a rehabilitation centre. This is where Atle met with Erik and two young girls, three young people who were there to get out of their drug abuse. They became important for Atle in developing the MOT philosophy, which started in 1995.

First school session: Atle got thoughts about making this into something more than a calendar project. One could make a programme and meet the youth in the classroom. October 1995 there was a very first try out of a MOT school session at a secondary school in Trondheim. Atle brought with him some very famous top athletes, and also Erik and the two girls from the rehabilitation centre, who told their stories to the youth. Who do you think got most attention, the super famous top athletes or the ex-drug addicts? The latter. This is the reason why MOT doesn't use ex drug addicts in the programmes. We don't dare to take the risk that they get this kind of attention from the youth. In the same time period Atle was practising with the "under cover" and out on the streets department of the police in Oslo, Norway's capital. The impressions were many and strong. They arrested many. Atle's thoughts about working proactively were affirmed.

Join us as we explore the dynamic journey from a successful calendar project to the birth of MOT's transformative philosophy.

Welcome to Episode 3 of our podcast, where we delve into "The Olympic Dream."

1994 Olympics: Atle participated in the Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. The winning speed skater in the was Atle’s best friend Johann Koss. Atle did not win any medals but his dream came through anyways. Atle came back home from the Olympics and at this time he worked as a customs officer and was very much involved in boarder control and the Customs' work preventative work in order to reduce drug abuse. During the Olympics he had been close onto many great top athletes. With this in mind, the idea came about producing a calendar. He had this idea about making a calendar with pictures of famous top athletes and great role models, and with a message to the youth: Show respect, care about each other, show courage etc. He told about his idea to his wife, Sigrun. Sigrun supported him. Supporting others' ideas is very important! Sigrun could also just killed Atle's dream by being negative. And if she had not supported him there wouldn't be anything called MOT today. Sigrun asked; «what are you going to do with the calendar?» Atle said; «We can produce enough calendars to give one for free to every classroom in every secondary and every upper secondary school in Norway!»

Welcome to Episode 2 of our podcast, where we journey back in time to a pivotal moment in MOT's history. This episode is aptly titled "The First Supper"

1977-1979: Atle 12 years old in 1977. Dad works as a prison officer. Only one prisoner there on Christmas Eve 1977. In order to stay at home with his family he invites the prisoner to their home and also to stay overnight till Christmas Day. Scary for a 12-year-old boy! However, Atle is fascinated by the nice young man, who has made some very bad things, made some bad decisions, wrong choices, maybe with the best/right people around him. Atle asks many questions; why did you do it, why didn’t you do something else instead, what could have been different, etc. Atle’s passion for the human being begins…

Not long before Atle had started speed skating. And earlier in 1977 a young American «star» within speed skating suddenly appeared; Eric Heiden from USA. He was the best and became an idol and role model for Atle. 1979: Eric Heiden comes to Trondheim (Atle’s hometown) to participate in a speed skating competition (which was quite amazing to happen in his hometown!) Atle’s dad takes Atle to the speed skating rink/stadium to watch Eric train. It’s very cold, below 20 degrees. Atle stands there for one hour and doesn’t feel the cold at all. When Eric gets off the ice, with his training jacket under his arm, headed for the wardrobe, he passes by Atle. What do you think Atle wish for? His autograph. Atle stutters: «Can I please have your autograph?» Eric throws his training clothes down on the snow, surely noticing that this young boy is a speed skater too. He says; «Of course!» He writes his autograph and then gives Atle a tap on the shoulder; «Good luck, son!». Wow, talking about taking a little boy seriously! Now Atle started dreaming about becoming like Eric and to take part in the Olympics. Eric Heiden made Atle start dreaming. It is strange to think about that without this lap on the shoulder there might not have been anything called MOT today…

Welcome to the Introduction Episode of MOT's History and Identity Podcast!

MOT is so much… a philosophy, way to inspire, lifestyle, symbol of identity, culture building tool, non-profit organisation and a big team.

MOT's identity is the MOT concept and the history

It is important to know where MOT comes from (the history), the values and where/which direction we are going.

MOT's vision: To create a warmer and safer society. What does it mean for you? What do you put into «a warmer and safer society»?

The vision says warmer and safer, and not warm and safe. MOT believes there is SOME warmth and safety already – everywhere. With warmer and safer as our vision, every little step we make is taking us closer to our vision…

History: The other part of MOT’s identity is the history. It is split into five parts:

The First Supper, The Olympic Dream, The Calendar Project, A Passion for People, MOT’s Big Bang

Join us as we delve into the depths of MOT's history and identity, exploring the milestones that have shaped us and the path ahead as we work toward a warmer and safer society.