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CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBLITY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND BIOGAS ARE CHANGING LIVES The shift from CSR to CSI underlines the desire of a company to go beyond just ‘feeling good’ (CSR) and improving its image to actually ‘doing good’ (CSI) by being fully invested and committed to a community. T he ESI Africa team is privileged to introduce you to our new regular CSI feature that will explore the growing number of projects in the corporate social investment sphere. These projects deserve their space in the sun as they have a direct or indirect positive impact on delivering utility services that are set to improve the living conditions and employment opportunities in Africa. These projects include (but are not limited to) skills development, localisation and socio-economic development. NORDEX EDUCATION TRUST DELIVERS MORE THAN A SET CURRICULUM Nordex South Africa, a subsidiary of German wind Manufacturer Nordex, has established the Nordex Educational Trust, an initiative to uplift communities who are previously disadvantaged as a result of political struggles or health issues, by facilitating basic and advanced skills development to drive social integration. Anne Henschel, managing director and trust member, said in a statement that ‘the Nordex Trust’s focus is on educational initiatives that build local Ilse, Toni ,Thembi, Anne and kids 78 capacity and broaden the understanding of the renewable energy sector in historically disadvantaged communities where Nordex operates’. The trust is diverse, involved with various organisations and projects. In July 2014 the trust allocated €18 000 towards computers and software in three local schools, complementing Airtel at I-Africa. the company’s goal of introducing natural sciences within the curriculum. Nordex matched this amount and invested it into the Hope in Motion project under the Chaeli Campaign. This project aims to mobilise disadvantaged children who suffer from mental and physical disabilities. The established programme includes eight different facilities including counselling, therapy, sport and vocational rehabilitation which support social integration and education. With a passion to support socio- economic development in areas within which they work, Nordex is optimistic about the opportunities for wind growth in South Africa, and more ways in which they can contribute to uplift local communities. AIRTEL KENYA MAKES BIOGAS PROJECT A REALITY Airtel Kenya, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel Limited, is an international telecommunications company that has the vision to supply affordable mobile services to everyone. Their mission of delivering equality to all is mirrored in the work they do for the communities in which they conduct business. In October, the subsidiary commissioned a biogas plant for Immanuel Afrika (I-Afrika), a non-profit organisation for underprivileged boys, powering the school with clean energy to make food for the learners. This project will save I-Afrika time and money as well as contributing towards a cleaner, more sustainable environment. Staff at Airtel Kenya, together with the learners and I-Afrika employers, commissioned the biogas plant in October. The small digester is operated by fuelling it with cow dung which is then converted into methane gas through the process of anaerobic digestion. Peter Nduati, I-Afrika director, told media that the project was making significant improvements to the way in which the school operates. They are able to save money that was previously used on purchasing wood to burn for power and now allocate these funds to other areas needing attention. Not only does the new power source make cooking a lot more manageable for the school’s cook, but I-Afrika is now part of the global green and renewable power initiative. ESI ESI AFRICA ISSUE 4 2014