long-term economic development and could expand the supply of titanium for many industries, including aerospace. Boeing also is working with South African Airways to develop a sustainable biofuel supply chain in Southern Africa, which helps to address a key priority for the airline and government. As part of that effort, Boeing and the airline are working with the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials to expand opportunities for “smallholder” farmers in Africa to grow crops that produce sustainable biofuels. Boeing, South African Airways and SkyNRG recently announced that they are collaborating to make sustainable aviation biofuel from a new hybrid tobacco plant called Solaris. Test farming of the plant is currently underway in South Africa with biofuel production expected from large and small farms in the next few years. Projects such as these underscore that Africa is a vast continent with huge potential, marked by areas of poverty and unrest. And Boeing, according to Hill, is partnering with nations that are taking the lead in creating a 21stcentury Africa that will play a growing role in the global economy. n william.j.seil@boeing.com Frontiers September 2014 41 MAKING A DIFFERENCE Whether helping farmers in Kenya or working with local officials to improve educational opportunities for schoolchildren in South Africa, Boeing Global Corporate Citizenship programs are making a difference on the continent. In Kenya, poor rural farmers are improving their quality of life by developing modern business skills and learning to handle personal finances. The training is provided by Village Enterprise Fund, one of several community improvement projects supported by Boeing in Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. The Village Enterprise program helps Kenyan farmers adopt business practices that use their land more productively. For example, one family, in addition to receiving business training, was provided with a foot-powered water pump to irrigate its land. Increased income went toward food purchases and education for the family’s children. Coleen Burke-Finney, director, International Policy Integration, said Boeing Global Corporate Citizenship programs in sub-Saharan Africa focus on pressing local needs for advancements in education, workforce skills, economic development, and health and human services. “All of our community and economic development investments in these countries are intended to provide meaningful benefits to local communities and help them reach their potential,” Burke-Finney said. In Ethiopia, the Connected in Hope program established a holistic early education center for 50 children. It also helps women develop incomes and strengthen their families. In South Africa, the Symphonia program mobilizes business and community leaders to partner with school principals and educators to improve the quality of elementary education. Boeing also is working with local partners to expand opportunities for farmers in Southern Africa to grow crops that can be used to produce sustainable biofuels. n PHOTOS: (Far left) In Ethiopia, preschool children in the Boeing-supported Connected in Hope program participate in an art class. CONNECTED IN HOPE (Above) Africa is a potentially large market for Boeing unmanned aircraft systems (left) and the CH-47 Chinook (right). BOEING
Frontiers September 2014 Issue
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