Emirates strengthens community engagement in Mauritius with donation of recycled bags to young people | News
Emirates has donated 100 limited edition school backpacks from the ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ collection to students supported by APEIM (Association des Parents d’Enfants Inadaptés de l’Île Maurice), reinforcing the airline’s commitment to supporting education and community development in Mauritius.
APEIM is one of Mauritius’ leading organizations supporting children and young people with intellectual disabilities. Through specialized education, therapy and vocational training programs, the organization helps develop essential life skills, build confidence while promoting greater integration into society.
The world’s largest international airline gives back to the local community and supports Mauritius’ efforts to empower youth through education, training and employment, with the aim of fostering their potential to make a positive contribution to society.
The donation event coincided with the Mauritius Independence Day celebrations and was held at APEIM in the presence of HE Dharambeer Gokhool, President of the Republic of Mauritius.
The donation is part of the ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ initiative, which has seen the airline reuse materials from its aircraft interiors, including fabric from its A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. The treated seat fabric is hand-made into sturdy backpacks in Dubai by Emirates Engineering, and donations have been made to schools and community organizations supporting children in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
HE Dharambeer Gokhool, President of the Republic of Mauritius said: “I express my deep gratitude to Emirates for its sincere commitment to Mauritius, a commitment that goes far beyond economic development and also supports human and social well-being.
These gestures of solidarity and generosity take on an even deeper meaning and remind us how essential mutual support and humanity remain.
I hope that this donation from Emirates will contribute significantly to the well-being of our children and young people and encourage them to progress in their learning and development.”
The school bags, which were also filled with stationery and learning supplies including pencils, notebooks, storybooks and drawing books, were presented by Oomar Ramtoola, Emirates’ Manager for the Indian Ocean Islands and the local Emirates team. During the event, the Emirates Mauritius team met students, teachers and caregivers from APEIM to personally distribute the bags and celebrate the students’ dedication to learning.
Globally, Emirates has donated more than 3,700 airline backpacks in 10 countries and partnered with 18 non-governmental organizations, providing practical tools that support students’ educational journeys while giving new life to the airline’s interior materials.
Oomar Ramtoola, Emirates’ Manager for the Indian Ocean Islands, said: “Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to shape society and inspire the next generation. Through Emirates’ Aircrafted initiative, we wanted to support students with something practical that will help them in their daily learning journey, while at the same time sharing a little piece of our history as an airline serving Mauritius.
Mauritius has been a key part of the Emirates network for more than two decades and we remain committed not only to connecting the island to the world, but also to supporting the communities we serve. It was truly inspiring to meet the students and teachers of APEIM and celebrate their dedication to learning and personal growth. It has been exceptionally rewarding and a privilege to make a small difference in a community we have been a part of for over 23 years.”
Jocelyne Beesoon, Director of APEIM, said: “At APEIM, our mission is to empower children and young people with intellectual disabilities by accompanying them on their journey to autonomy and social inclusion. Advocating for their capabilities, inclusion and rights is fundamental to our guiding principles and our daily actions. We place great value on partnerships that embrace and reflect these advocacy commitments. Every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and feel valued within our community. We are grateful to Emirates for this meaningful gesture, which reflects our message: inclusivity. The backpacks are more than practical school items; they are a symbol of encouragement and inclusivity for our beneficiaries.”
Emirates has been serving Mauritius since 2002 and plays a key role in connecting the island to its global network of more than 150 destinations. Through its operations on the island, Emirates has been an integral partner in supporting the development of the country’s tourism sector, while bringing tangible benefits to the wider economy through the creation of jobs, supply chains and business opportunities for local suppliers.
