Emirates supports education with upcycled backpacks for teachers
Emirates has recognised the dedication of teachers in one of Johannesburg’s most impoverished areas by gifting 100 teachers with limited-edition, upcycled backpacks, marking their contribution to education and society.
The backpacks, part of Emirates’ ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ repurposed luggage collection, were given to teachers at Carter Primary School and Gordon Primary School in Alexandra, as part of the airline’s commitment to ‘connecting communities’. The airline’s team, based in Johannesburg, made the donation during the same month as World Teachers Day, demonstrating their ongoing support for the local community. Each backpack, made from leather upcycled from the airline’s A380 and 777 aircraft, was handmade at the Emirates Engineering facility in Dubai. The teachers also received a luxe leather notebook, an on-the-go tea tumbler, and teas from Dilmah.
Afzal Parambil, Emirates Regional Manager for Southern Africa, commented,
Since our first flight to Johannesburg in 1995, we have not only invested in scaling our operations and developing South Africa’s tourism sector but invested in the community too. Education, much like travel, broadens the mind and brings immeasurable value to society at large. Celebrating these shared values, we wanted to show our appreciation for the teachers in one of Johannesburg’s most impoverished townships. We are proud to enrich the communities we serve.
The initiative is part of Emirates’ long-standing support for education. Through the Emirates Airline Foundation, the airline has supported schooling programmes globally, with a focus on improving education in underprivileged areas. In South Africa, Emirates has worked with projects such as Singakwenza, which supports early childhood education in low-income communities, and the Fikelela Children’s Centre, which helps children affected by HIV/AIDS. These projects align with Emirates’ broader mission to create a lasting impact on the communities it serves, both through education and charitable work.
Carter Primary School’s Principal Seemela expressed gratitude for the recognition:
It means a lot to us to have our hard work, dedication and sacrifices recognised. We are grateful to the Emirates team for hand-picking our school. We don’t often get recognition for the work we do, in the communities we work in. Emirates has shown our learners that through hard work they too can be recognised for their efforts and become key players and role models in their own communities regardless of their backgrounds.
The ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ collection, which repurposes materials from the airline’s interior cabin retrofit programme, is set to be donated to more schools and organisations across Africa and Asia before the year’s end, underscoring Emirates’ commitment to education and sustainability.
Paul Baker, Sales Director of Global Travel Management, commented:
Initiatives like this show the positive impact that global companies can have on local communities. For UK-based business travellers, it’s inspiring to see airlines like Emirates not only leading in travel but also giving back in meaningful ways. It reminds us that travel is about more than just getting from one place to another – it’s about building connections and enriching lives.
For more information on Emirates flights, contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.
