April-June 2009: Plakkies
Plakkies, the first sustainable design slippers. Slippers made from old car tyres will be the lastest Summer trend!
Students of the Delft technical University together with the Dutch foundation and NGO KidsRights have started a unique flip flop factory in the slums of Durban, South Africa. With this initiative students created not only employment for slum inhabitants without prospects, but simultaneously created a funky, sexy and sustainable design slipper made of car tires.
Car tires are massively dumped in South African landfills and environmental sensitive areas, as well as burned which both cause massive environmental problems. Shoe designer Jan Jansen from The Netherlands together with students of the Faculty Industrial Design are responsible for the hip and sustainable design. The colorful patterns and drawings are designed by orphans from the Durban slums, depicting their creativity and dreams for a better world. All profit made by Ubuntu Plakkies will flow back into the orphanage projects of Kids Rights in South Africa.
Flip flop factury
Main goal of the factory is creating sustainable jobs in one of the most socially and economically neglected areas in South Africa. 50 uneducated women are employed, most of them HIV-infected and living in the slums. Thanks to their job at the factory they can again support in their own existence after years of unemployment without any prospects. Each employee is able to sustain 10 people in its direct surroundings, children can go to school again and directly over 500 people benefit from this initiative. In the factory there is much focus on safety, security, health, nutrition and sanitation. On a daily base, both meals and AIDS medication is supplied for all.
Ubuntu & AirCares
KLM AirCares wholeheartedly supports this project that complies to many of the Millennium Development Goals such as eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, promote gender equality, reduce child mortality, combat HIV/AIDS, ensure environmental sustainability etc. Simultaneously this specific project appeals to a younger committed target group which also fits perfectly into the AirCares philosophy.
What can you do?
KLM is working with Ubuntu to develop this project. Ubuntu will run the project, together with the KidsRights foundation. This project is a perfect example of contribution to economical, ecological and social enhancement.
Donation
So why not support Ubuntu plakkies with a financial contribution, or donate your Flying Blue Miles?