Etihad Airways creates a brighter future for children in Kenya

As part of its on-going commitment toward global education, Etihad Airways has renovated

three schools in the remote areas of Kakamega County in western Kenya to create a brighter

future for underprivileged children.

A senior delegation from Etihad Airways visited Kenya to officially open the Likuyani primary

school, nursery and special needs boarding school. The much-improved facilities, with a student

capacity of 1,700, were handed over to the schools administration after a year of building

repairs and improvement work.

The comprehensive project included refurbishment of the schools infrastructure including

classrooms and staff rooms and the construction of a new playground, dining hall, kitchen and

lavatories for both boys and girls.

In addition, the schools were also supported with new uniforms and shoes for students. This will

help students who used to walk to school barefoot causing foot injuries. The renovation will

improve hygiene and reduce the number of hygiene-related illnesses that the students and staff

are currently suffering from.

Madhad Obeid Al Saher, Diplomatic Attache from UAE Embassy in Kenya joined the Etihad

Airways delegation headed by Khaled Al Mehairbi, Senior Vice President of Government and

Aero-political Affairs. The delegation also included Ali Al Shamsi, Vice President of Etihad

Airways Abu Dhabi Hub, and Joan Mwaniki, Etihad Airways General Manager Kenya, along with

the airlines Abu Dhabi and Nairobi-based staff.

Rael Ruto, wife of the current Vice President of Kenya, Hon. William Ruto, and Chairperson of

Joyful Womens Organisation-Kenya, accompanied the Etihad Airways delegation during their

one-day visit. Nearly 1,700 care packages with school bags and stationery were distributed,

while 20 wheelchairs and blankets were provided to the special needs boarding school.

Khaled Al Mehairbi, who also serves as Chairman of Etihad Airways Sports and Social

Committee, said, “As the UAE flag carrier, we are socially committed towards improving global

education and creating a brighter future for the underprivileged children. We extend our thanks

to the Etihad Airways team, sponsors and suppliers for their support of the project. Collectively,

we have improved the students learning environment which will help them pursue their studies.”

Abdul Razak Mohamed Hadi, the UAE’s Ambassador to Kenya, stressed that the UAE

continues to maintain a strong humanitarian presence in addition to supporting relief efforts in

the wake of natural disasters anywhere in the world.

The renovation project was funded by money raised through a series of charitable initiatives that

took place in Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with the Emirates Red Crescent, including two events –

Run for a Cause and the 2nd Etihad Airways World Aviation Football Cup.