Absa Bank Kenya has announced an ambitious plan to plant 10,000 fruit trees in schools across Kenya this year.
As part of the initiative, the bank announced that for every birdie scored at the 2022 Kenya Magical Open, which will be held at the Muthaiga Golf Club from March 3rd to March 6th, it will plant and grow additional fruit trees in several of these schools.
The idea behind the Birdies for Good initiative, which is taking place for the second time now, is that for every birdie (a golf score of one stroke less than par on a hole) scored at the Magical Kenya Open, Absa will donate KES1, 200 to plant and grow additional fruit trees in Kenyan schools this year over and above the 10,000 trees commitment. Absa hopes to raise at least KES6 million through this initiative.
Speaking during the announcement, Absa Bank's Head of Sustainability Jane Waiyaki reiterated the bank's commitment to positively impacting communities through the Birdies for Good initiative. Overall, the bank had committed to plant 10 million trees in the next five years.
Planting and growing fruit trees can help improve our tree cover while also assisting Kenya in improving its national nutrition, particularly among school-aged children. She noted that with fruits available in the school compound, they can easily supplement their school feeding program at a lower cost.
"As Absa, we are a deliberate force for good, with a heart that beats for the communities in which we operate." We want to make a difference in people's lives beyond the tournament, and the Birdies for Good initiative exemplifies this commitment. "As a result, we challenge the golfers to bring their best game to the tournament and be a part of impacting our community through their scores," Ms. Waiyaki said.
In appreciation of this gesture, the Kenya Forests Services Head of Conservancy Francis Kariuki said: “Protecting and conserving our environment is a shared responsibility; and we are proud to be working with Absa to drive this initiative in schools across the country. By planting trees, we are assured of a secured future, lives and livelihoods of our children and their children.
The Birdies for Good initiative, launched during the 2021 Magical Kenya Open, raised KES 8 million for long-term community development projects. A women's bead-making enterprise, tree planting, and the distribution of sanitary pads to schoolgirls in Laikipia, Isiolo, and Samburu counties were among those who benefited.
"As a bank, we are also aware of our responsibility to assist all of our stakeholders in becoming more environmentally conscious and in implementing appropriate solutions to reduce their environmental impact." As a result, the Birdies for Good contributions will benefit environmental conservation," Ms Waiyaki added.
For more information, please write to communications.ke@absa.africa or visit the website www.kenya-opengolf.com
About Absa Bank Kenya
Absa Bank Kenya PLC is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange and is one of Kenya’s leading financial institutions. Established in 1916, Barclays has been a major player in Kenya’s financial landscape, engaged in personal and corporate banking, enterprise, credit cards and bancassurance.
The bank offers end-to-end financial solutions to retail, enterprise and corporate customers, and its regional and global footprint enables it to offer cutting-edge financial solutions to its clients. The bank is a leader in the credit card space. It has also been associated with a number of market firsts, such as the launch of the first ATM, Sharia-compliant banking and unsecured lending.
Absa Bank Kenya has presence in 38 counties. It has 86 branches, 212 ATMs and a robust Internet and mobile banking platform. The bank’s purpose is to bring possibilities to life.
About Kenya Open Golf Tournament
Kenya Open is a golf tournament that was founded in 1967 and has been an event on the European based Challenge Tour schedule since 1991.
The Tournament attracts elite golfers from all over the world and is currently the second oldest event under the PGA European Challenge Tour. The Kenya Open title has been won by some of Europe’s biggest Ryder Cup stars such as Seve Ballesteros, Ian Woosnam, Ken Brown and Christy O’Connor Jr, as well as future Masters Champion Trevor Immelman. The most successful player is England’s Maurice Bembridge, who recorded three victories between 1968 and 1979.
For further information about The Kenya Open, please visit the website www.kenya-opengolf.com
