The SGA Security company says it will be recycling old guards’ uniforms to school bags that will be donated to underprivileged children living in the informal settlements.
The company says this is part of its commitment to environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
The latest undertaking will see the company which employs over 19,000 across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania collecting old uniforms from their security guards and recycling them into functional school bags, ensuring that they are repurposed and that children in underserved communities have access to essential educational tools.
The first set of bags was donated during an art exhibition at the Ardhi Gallery, where artists showcased their work under the theme ‘Ubuntu: Humanity & Environment’. The bags were donated to children from Mathare slums who performed during the art exhibition.
Speaking during the handover of the recycled bags, SGA Security CEO and Chairman Jules Delahaije reaffirmed the commitment of the company to ensuring a clean and safe environment.
“At SGA Security we are keen to ensure that the environment around us flourishes and is taken care of, as well as to give back to the society. The old guards’ uniforms, if not recycled will end up in landfills and might cause harmful effects to the environment. Recycling these uniforms to school bags ensures that health and safety are promoted as well as livelihoods of the underprivileged communities improve,” said Jules.
One of the artists who showcased his work appreciated the contribution that SGA Security has made to the Mathare Kids.
“I would like to thank the sponsors of this exhibition, who have championed the rights of the underprivileged. I was once a kid living in the slums, and as I saw people use guns to shoot other fellow humans, someone sponsored me and gave me a camera, which I used to shoot different aspects of humanity as showcased in the exhibition today,” said Julius Mwelu.
The art exhibition, curated by Myrna van der Veen will run through the month of February and provides a platform for talented artists who may otherwise go unnoticed.
