Absa Bank Kenya has announced an ambitious plan to plant 10,000 fruit trees in schools across Kenya this year as part of its Birdies for Good initiative that launched last year. Under the plan, the bank will donate KES1, 200 for every birdie scored at the 2022 Magical Kenya Open which will be held at the Muthaiga Golf Club from March 3rd to 6th.
Absa Bank hopes to raise at least KES6 million through this initiative with those funds being channeled to plant and grow additional fruit trees in several schools across the country. The project highlights Absa Bank’s commitment to environmental sustainability as a leading institution and key partner of the 2022 Magical Kenya Open.
Jane Waiyaki, the Absa Bank Head of Sustainability and Citizenship, said the initiative will not only help improve our tree cover but also help improve nutrition for school-going children. “We realise that we cannot succeed without considering the welfare of our customers and the communities in which we operate, and therefore our interest in the financial wellness and continuity for our partners is not just a nice to have but also a fundamental principle to the sustainability of our business,” she said. And added: “With fruits available in the school compound, they will easily supplement their school feeding programme at a more affordable cost.”
In its first year of launch, the Birdies for Good initiative successfully raised over KES8 million, in collaboration with the European Tour, and the funds went into supporting sustainable community development projects. Among the beneficiaries were a women’s bead-making enterprise and scholarships for girls in Laikipia, tree planting in Isiolo County and provision of sanitary pads to school going girls in Samburu County.
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
