Etihad donates air tickets for Uganda children’s project

Abu Dhabi: Etihad Airways has launched its community outreach programme in Uganda with donations of air tickets, blankets and school supplies to the Whisper Children’s Home in Mutai, in Jinja district, Uganda.

Aimed at improving the lives of young children in need, the Whisper Children’s Home was established in May 2011 to provide rehabilitation support to local children suffering from malnutrition and living in life-threatening conditions.

Veronika Cejpkova, founder and director of Whisper Children’s Home, said: “We are so thrilled to receive this generous support from Etihad Airways. The tickets will be so useful in flying the volunteers and staff from Europe who donate their valuable time to assist us with our day-to-day activities at the home.

“We currently look after nearly 30 children who are in desperate need of care, and the school supplies, which include pens, notepads and colouring books, will help the children with their education, and in keeping them entertained.”

The donation to the Children’s Home falls under the airline’s ‘Giving Together’ Corporate Social Responsibility initiative which encompasses charitable giving programmes to selected charities across its global network.

Toyin Alaran, Etihad Airways’ general manager, Uganda, said: “As an airline we are committed to supporting and making a difference to the communities in which we operate. The Whisper Children’s Home stands out as beacon of hope for underprivileged children and families in need in Uganda and we are delighted to be able to support them in this way.”

More than 200 blankets were handed over during the visit to the Whisper Children’s Home, which was attended by Alaran, other senior airline officials and five members of Etihad Airways’ iVolunteer initiative, who flew to Uganda from the airline’s head office in Abu Dhabi, to provide their time and support to this initiative.