In a remarkable move to bolster educational accessibility in Bangladesh, Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has donated essential supplies and limited-edition, handcrafted backpacks from its innovative ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ collection to three prominent non-profit organizations. This initiative is in line with the airline’s commitment to supporting the development of educational infrastructure and empowering young minds across the globe.

Bangladesh is currently undergoing significant reforms to enhance its education system, with a focus on creating equal learning opportunities for children throughout the nation. Emirates has stepped in to support this transformative journey by assisting three organizations: Kanan, Thikana (Shelter Home), and Ahsania Mission Shishu Nagari. These organizations, deeply embedded in local communities, provide safe, nurturing spaces for disadvantaged children to continue their education. Emirates contributed a total of 187 carefully designed backpacks, filled with essential school supplies such as stationery, notebooks, pens, and calculators, ensuring that students have everything they need to thrive in their studies.

The selection of these organizations was based on their established track record of fostering educational growth in underprivileged areas. By offering more than just donations, Emirates is helping to create long-lasting, positive change in these communities, ensuring that every child has the tools to succeed academically.

A unique feature of this initiative is the custom-made backpacks from the ‘Aircrafted by Emirates’ collection. These backpacks are not just practical, but also stylish, crafted from upcycled materials sourced from Emirates’ retired A380 and B777 aircraft. The airline’s Engineering team carefully handmade the bags, with each one representing a thoughtful blend of sustainability and functionality. The backpacks cater to children of all ages, with each organization selecting the most suitable design for their students.

In addition to the backpacks, Emirates went further by supplying an array of school materials, such as water bottles, lunchboxes, and books from local authors. These books, which offer culturally relevant and interactive content, will be circulated among students, encouraging dialogue and a deeper understanding of the curriculum. This thoughtful integration of local culture into the learning experience adds an enriching layer to the children’s education.

The initiative is part of Emirates’ larger ‘Aircrafted’ program, which aims to repurpose over 50,000 kg of materials from 191 aircraft undergoing cabin retrofitting. By using these materials to create functional and meaningful products, Emirates is not only supporting education but also promoting sustainability. This program has already made a significant impact, with donations extending beyond Bangladesh to organizations in Pakistan and India, bringing the total number of donated backpacks in Asia to 700. This follows the successful donation of 1,239 backpacks in Africa in recent months.

Through this collaboration, Emirates demonstrates its unwavering dedication to ‘connecting communities’ and making a tangible, lasting impact on the lives of children across the world. With these donations, the airline is not only providing much-needed resources but also fostering a sense of hope and opportunity for the next generation of learners.