By Paul Mwaura
Garowe Online | Nairobi, Kenya

The Emirates Airline Foundation and Engineers Without Borders Orange County have completed a project to build a footbridge across the Ewaso Ng’iro River in Nanyuki in Kenya at a cost of US37,000 (Ksh2.96 million).

Emirates' Regional Manager for East Africa Essa Sulaiman Ahmad  said the reconstruction of the footbridge began in July 2010 and was completed in early December same year.

"Emirates' joint project with Engineers Without Borders Orange County building the much needed bridge across the Ewaso Ng’iro River is  truly life changing for the people of the region. We believe that this bridge will have tremendous impact by making it easier to move across the river and access essential services," said Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, Emirates’ Regional Manager for East Africa.

"This project encapsulates the aims of the Emirates Airline Foundation, which is to provide humanitarian and philanthropic aid and services to the disadvantaged in society regardless of geographical, political, or religious boundaries to help them maintain or improve their human dignity," continued Ahmad.

"This project fulfills a critical need for the local community because it allows the people of Endana to access the Segura Medical Clinic and nearby schools all year round. The river is inaccessible due to flooding when it rains, making it impossible to pass if you are elderly, a child, or simply cannot swim to the medical clinic or schools on the other side. To put it plainly, this simple suspended bridge will literally save lives," said Tim Muli, Storm Water Management Project Engineer for Engineers Without Borders-Orange County.

He added: "The Emirates Airline Foundation and Engineers Without Borders have the shared goal of developing lasting relationships with the communities we serve. Assessing the needs of these communities, designing and then implementing sustainable solutions will continue to be a substantial cost for our non-profit organizations. The support of the Emirates Airline Foundation has been instrumental in making this project happen and we hope we have begun a meaningful partnership with the Foundation for the future".

The Emirates Airline Foundation, a non-profit charity which aims to improve the quality of life for children by providing them with essentials such as food, medicine, housing and education, supported the project by donating six flights to Nairobi. The flights were funded through Skywards miles donated by Emirates customers.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman & Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, the Emirates Airline Foundation provides humanitarian, philanthropic aid and services for children, with the minimum amount of administrative expense. A board of directors, made up of senior Emirates Group management, decides on what projects to target with funds, which Emirates passengers and staff help build through donations.

The projects, either existing charities or new initiatives, are located primarily at destinations within Emirates’ global network, where local staff volunteers can participate and oversee their management, along with any assistance local communities may provide.

GAROWE ONLINE