By Antynet Ford
A group of cyclists have set off on a four-day ride from Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, to Kilimanjaro carrying bags made from recycled Air France-KLM billboard canvases.
These specially designed school bags and pouches, made from repurposed vinyl tarpaulins that would otherwise contribute to waste, will be distributed to children from underprivileged communities in Kilimanjaro.
This initiative is a part of Air France-KLM’s ongoing efforts to support education in underserved areas while also promoting sustainability.
The bags, which are both durable and eco-friendly, will help ensure that the beneficiary children in Tanzania have access to essential school supplies, while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact of discarded advertising materials.
Transforming large-scale billboard canvases into functional, high-quality bags, helps prevent these materials from ending up in landfills, giving them a second life in support of a good cause.
The 70 bags and pouches were formally received in Kilimanjaro by Air France-KLM country Manager Tanzania Rajat and administrative leaders.
The bags will be distributed to students at the Kilimanjaro International Airport primary school in Kilimanjaro, providing them with a sturdy and practical solution to carry their books and other supplies.
“The provision of durable school bags—often an overlooked but essential item—can make a significant difference in a child’s educational experience. With this initiative, we hope to help alleviate some of the hardships faced by children in remote and underprivileged areas, ensuring they have the means to attend school prepared and ready to learn. Our company has always been dedicated to making a positive impact, and today, we take another significant step in that direction. The bags are symbols of hope, creativity, and the endless possibilities that arise when we think beyond the conventional.” Marius van der Ham, Air France-KLM’s General Manager for East and Southern Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana said.
Billboards, which are commonly made from durable vinyl, are often discarded once their advertising campaigns come to an end.
This results in significant waste that can be difficult to dispose of responsibly. By recycling these materials, Air France-KLM helps combat the environmental issue of waste management contributing to the development of a more sustainable future.
The team of cyclists ferrying the recycled material school bags is part of a unique effort to draw attention and support for the cause.
As the cyclists make their way from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro, they will be spreading the message of sustainability and the importance of collective responsibility in helping those in need.
Their dedication and effort will bridge the gap between our brand vision and the young minds that will benefit from these bags.
The cyclists are not just delivering items; they are delivering dreams, inspiration, and the message that they matter.
The initiative is expected to make a lasting impact on the educational journey of the beneficiary students.
, “This initiative enables us to help children in need in addition to inspiring others to think about the role they can play in protecting our environment. We hope that these bags will serve them well, inspire them to dream big, and remind them they are part of a global community that cares deeply about your future. These bags are more than just a means to carry your books and belongings. They represent our collective effort to promote sustainability, to reuse and repurpose, and to ensure that we leave a better world for the next generation.”Rajat Kumar, Air France-KLM’s Country Manager in Tanzania, said.
Tanzania becomes the second country in Africa to receive the eco-friendly school bags this year, after a similar donation to students in Kenya’s Muthangari Primary School in February.