Flight amenity kits that have completed their journey will get a new lease of life as sturdy and waterproof bags for learners with special needs at Special Unity School in Nguruman, as Air France-KLM marks its 107th anniversary.
The repurposed bags are part of a wider community project centred on recycling, reuse and practical support for the school. In addition to giving materials from its flights a second life, Air France-KLM provided reusable sanitary pads for the girls, clothes and bedding, as well as installed a complete solar energy system to support learning and daily care at the facility.
The solar installation will provide the school with a more reliable source of energy for its education, accommodation and day-to-day operations. The contribution includes four Tier 1 solar panels, lithium battery storage and a hybrid inverter, together with installation, commissioning and user training.
Special Unity School supports 40 learners with special needs, comprising 19 girls and 21 boys aged between eight and 17. The school provides education, accommodation and daily care for children from the Nguruman community and continues to face challenges in meeting some of its basic operational needs.
The contribution was handed over following a two-day Cycling for Good expedition from Nairobi to Nguruman, some 164.7Km southwest of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. The journey, held under the theme “Ride to Light”, had the participation of 10 Air France-KLM cyclists, beginning with a flag-off on October 5, followed by the main cycling expedition on October 6.
Cycling for Good is an initiative that brings together Air France-KLM employees and partners around a shared experience, while using a targeted ride to draw attention to the needs of disadvantaged communities and the role businesses can play in supporting them.
The initiative also promotes cycling as a platform for wellness, adventure and environmental awareness while strengthening connections between the airline group and local communities.
“For more than a century, we have believed that every journey should have a purpose. We want to create an experience that brings our people together while delivering something meaningful and lasting,” said Joris Holtus, the General Manager for East and Southern Africa at Air France-KLM.
“In Nguruman, we are doing this by combining practical support for the school with the simple idea that materials that have served one purpose can still create value in another”.
The handover culminated in a special anniversary celebration involving the school’s learners, Air France-KLM employees, cyclists and members of the local community.
