Emirates Donates Upcycled Backpacks and School Supplies to Empower Education in Zambia
Backpacks made from upcycled aircraft materials and stationery essentials were distributed to Kucetekela Foundation and Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE)
(IN SHORT) Emirates has donated upcycled backpacks and essential school supplies to the Kucetekela Foundation and Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE) Zambia, aiming to support education for financially disadvantaged youth. The backpacks, made from materials recycled from Emirates’ A380 and 777 aircraft, were handcrafted by Emirates Engineering. In addition to the backpacks, the airline provided stationery, including pens, pencils, and notebooks, as well as culturally relevant books from local authors. This donation is part of Emirates’ broader commitment to community development through the Emirates Airline Foundation, with similar contributions made to organizations in Zimbabwe and Ethiopia. The initiative reinforces Emirates’ mission to connect communities and support education in regions it serves.
(PRESS RELEASE) Lusaka, Zambia, 2025-Feb-11 — /Travel PR News/ — In a significant initiative to support education and community development, Emirates has donated essential school supplies and limited-edition backpacks made from upcycled aircraft materials to two non-profit organizations in Zambia. The donation, part of Emirates’ “Aircrafted KIDS by Emirates” collection, was distributed to the Kucetekela Foundation and the Alliance for Children Everywhere (ACE) Zambia, both of which serve financially disadvantaged youth by providing access to education and resources.
Education is a cornerstone for societal progress, but the lack of adequate resources continues to be a major barrier for many children. In response, Emirates has contributed practical, stylish backpacks, stationery essentials, and culturally enriching books to support the educational efforts of these organizations. The initiative reinforces Emirates’ commitment to connecting communities and making a lasting impact in the regions it serves.
Omar Bushlaibi, Emirates’ Country Manager for Zambia, expressed the airline’s dedication to community support, stating, “Education, much like travel, expands horizons and provides invaluable benefits to society. Through this donation, we aim to support ACE Zambia and Kucetekela Foundation by providing school supplies and a tangible piece of Emirates’ legacy in the form of upcycled backpacks. Since our first flight to Zambia in 2012, we’ve remained committed not just to expanding our operations, but also to enriching the local communities we serve.”
The backpacks were handcrafted by Emirates Engineering using materials upcycled from the airline’s A380 and 777 aircraft. Kucetekela Foundation and ACE Zambia tailored their orders to ensure the donations met the needs of their students across various age groups. The backpacks, totaling 464, were supplemented with school supplies such as pens, pencils, notebooks, calculators, and more. Additionally, Emirates sourced culturally relevant books from local authors, including Kulanda House and Aliness Phiri, to promote interactive learning and foster a love for reading among students.
Simasiku Mukena, General Manager of Kucetekela Foundation, expressed gratitude for the generous donation, noting, “The donation of 84 bags has made a real difference for our students. The smiles on their faces were priceless, and this gift will have a profound impact on our organization and its mission.”
Elarm Chalusa, Head Teacher for Jana Secondary School under ACE Zambia, also shared his appreciation: “Although we are a small school, the donation from Emirates has had an incredible impact. The literature provided will enhance our students’ reading abilities and instill a strong reading culture.”
Emirates’ support in Zambia is part of a broader initiative through the Emirates Airline Foundation. In total, over 50,000 kg of materials from 191 aircraft are set to be upcycled and repurposed through the “Aircrafted KIDS” program. Along with Zambia, Emirates has also donated backpacks to organizations in Zimbabwe and Ethiopia, with further donations planned in Asia in the coming months.
About Emirates
The Emirates story started in 1985 when we launched operations with just two aircraft. Today, we fly the world’s biggest fleets of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, offering our customers the comforts of the latest and most efficient wide-body aircraft in the skies.
We inspire travelers around the world with our growing network of worldwide destinations, industry leading inflight entertainment, regionally inspired cuisine, and world-class service.
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Source: Emirates
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