Emirates Enhances Educational Opportunities in India by Donating Sustainable Backpacks and Essential School Supplies to the Smile Foundation for Underprivileged Children

Education is a powerful catalyst for social and economic growth, and its accessibility is key to fostering opportunities for all. Recognizing this, Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has made a significant contribution to India’s education reform initiatives by donating essential supplies and limited-edition handcrafted backpacks from its ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ collection to the Smile Foundation, a leading non-profit organization in India. This gesture supports the nation’s ongoing efforts to enhance educational infrastructure and offer equal opportunities to underprivileged children.

India’s education system has been undergoing continuous improvements, with an emphasis on providing resources and building a more inclusive environment for all children, regardless of their socio-economic background. As part of this drive, Emirates extended its support by providing 400 durable and stylish backpacks, each filled with essential stationery and learning materials. These backpacks were designed not only to be practical but also to inspire students to embrace their educational journey.

Smile Foundation was carefully chosen as the recipient of this donation, given its commitment to fostering a nurturing environment for disadvantaged youth. The foundation plays a pivotal role in ensuring that children from vulnerable communities have access to quality education and a safe space to learn and grow. Through its network of educational centers, the Smile Foundation supports students in their academic endeavors, offering mentorship and encouragement to help them succeed.

The backpacks donated by Emirates were selected by Smile Foundation from the ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ collection, which includes items crafted from materials repurposed from the airline’s retired aircraft, including the A380 and B777. Each bag was handmade in Emirates’ Engineering workshops, making them not only functional but also sustainable and unique. By upcycling materials from the airline’s fleet, Emirates is contributing to a circular economy and reducing waste while providing students with high-quality, eco-friendly backpacks.

Mohammad Sarhan, Vice President Emirates for India, said: “Education is a fundamental right. In line with our support for UN Sustainable Development Goal number 4, focused on quality education, we are dedicated to ensuring that children, regardless of their circumstances, have access to the resources needed to learn and create an equitable future for themselves.”

“We are pleased to partner with Smile Foundation, that has been working for over two decades to ensure underprivileged children have the opportunity to progress, setting them on the path for a brighter, more productive tomorrow. The bags from the Aircrafted KIDS collection will support their mission as they are uniquely made and filled with stationery, books, and hygiene items to assist children in their daily tasks and learning. We are proud to share these bags, which are upcycled from materials from our aircraft. They connect children to Emirates’ history while demonstrating a sustainable use of resources.”

In addition to the backpacks, Emirates also provided an array of essential school supplies such as pens, pencils, erasers, calculators, notebooks, and hygiene products like sanitizers and soaps. Recognizing the importance of engaging learning materials, the airline also purchased culturally relevant books that blend storytelling with interactive learning activities. These books will be used by students to foster creativity, critical thinking, and discussions that enhance their understanding of the subjects.

Santanu Mishra, Co-founder & Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation remarked, “Education of children is the key to a future full of potential and is instrumental in nation-building too. I firmly believe in the philosophy of civic-driven change, wherein responsible organizations and members of the civil society complement the governmental efforts. We appreciate Emirates for encouraging our children and our initiatives.”

The ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ initiative is part of the airline’s larger sustainability program, which repurposes materials from aircrafts undergoing refurbishment. So far, over 50,000 kg of materials from 191 aircrafts have been recovered and upcycled. The airline’s commitment to supporting education and environmental sustainability extends beyond India, with donations also made to organizations in Bangladesh and Pakistan, bringing the total number of backpacks donated in Asia to 700. Additionally, in recent months, Emirates has donated over 1,239 backpacks to communities across Africa.

This initiative is a testament to Emirates’ ongoing dedication to connecting communities and making a meaningful impact in the regions it serves. By supporting education, the airline is helping to empower the next generation of leaders, ensuring they have the tools and resources needed to thrive in an increasingly connected world.

Emirates’ partnership with Smile Foundation highlights the importance of corporate social responsibility in driving positive change, reinforcing the airline’s role not only as a global transportation leader but also as a committed supporter of sustainable and equitable development.

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