Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
15 May 2024
Air Liquide Large Industries South Africa (Pty) Ltd. (ALLISA) has successfully completed an upgraded sports ground and a solar power energy system at Adullam Christian School.
This is one of many of the organization’s socio-economic development projects that fall under Air Liquide’s Secunda social transformation program, “MySpace.”.
The program pays particular attention to five pillars: sustainability, past system inequalities, advancement, care through health and wellness initiatives, and lastly, education (mySPACE).
“The project will have significant transformative impacts for the school and the greater Govan Mbeki Municipality,” said Lasad Jaouani, GM and VP, Air Liquide Large Industries South Africa.
“Our objective was to find solutions that would enable the school to find its way to self-sufficiency. The installation of the solar panels and inverters will render partial off-the-grid abilities, allowing continuous education and reducing the school’s current electricity bill. These funds can then be redirected towards critical operational requirements.” The new sportsground is similarly transformative in that it will empower the scholars of the Adullam Christian School to stay committed to their own health and wellbeing, which is aligned with Air Liquide’s commitment to promote healthy lifestyles.
The MySpace program was created in 2021 when Air Liquide Large Industries South Africa started operating at Sasol Secunda after the acquisition of Sasol’s oxygen plants, which today are the largest oxygen air separation units in the world.
This significant milestone and success drove the organization to ensure that it would support other initiatives that promote sustainable solutions that address the energy challenges in the country.
“Our intention is to ensure that across all our activities, where possible, we bring about a social, impactful, and sustainable transformation for the communities within the Govan Mbeki Municipality,” explained Jaouani.
The handover of the solar system and the sports field on May 10 was celebrated with a sports day by Adullam Christian School, which highlighted the value of a healthy lifestyle.
The event recognized the role of sport and its social interactions as a means by which socio-economic development promotes inclusivity and participation.
”We thank Air Liquide for the solar power installation and the upgrades to the sports field. We also appreciate the Sports Day Celebration event dedicated to the learners and teachers of Adullam Christian School. We hope this event and the project will strengthen ties with our community and create connections that extend beyond the playing field, said Leon Coetzee, administrator of Adullam Christian School.
