BLUE SKIES FOUNDATION · Albert Heijn is Dutch Supermarket Company and has 750 stores in the Netherlands. Like Waitrose, Albert Heijn also focuses on selling quality food and offering

BLUE SKIES FOUNDATION

2011 Annual Review

Blue Skies Foundation Annual Report 2011 2

CONTENTS

Partners…….…………………………… 03

Introduction………………………….. ….. 04

Board of Directors………………………..05

Staff……..……………………….………… 06

Where we operate….…………………... 08

Our structure…………………………….. 09

Project overview………………………… 10

Ghana Projects……………….………….. 11

South Africa Projects……………………. 14

Other Projects……………………………. 16


PARTNERS

Funding Parties

Waitrose is a UK Supermarket Company which is part

of the John Lewis Partnership. The company has 197

stores and focuses on selling high quality food and

offering exceptional customer service.

Albert Heijn is Dutch Supermarket Company and has

750 stores in the Netherlands. Like Waitrose, Albert

Heijn also focuses on selling quality food and offering

a high level of customer service.

Blue Skies is a fresh-cut fruit company with factories

in Ghana, South Africa, Egypt and Brazil. The company

prepares fruit at its factories which it sells to shops in

Europe, South Africa and Brazil, including Waitrose

and Albert Heijn.

Supporters

Our supporters are an important part of the Foundation and provide donations

which help us to achieve our objectives.

The Foundation for Community Inspiration is a UK

registered charity aimed at reducing poverty.

Working toward the Millennium Development Goals it

uses historically proven solutions for ending poverty.

Foundation Schools

Below are some of the schools that have supported the Foundation over the

years by donating learning materials, equipment and clothing to schools that

the Foundation has assisted.


INTRODUCTION

Building a Stronger Foundation

This year we completed our eleventh project which included the first three

Foundation projects for the Blue Skies community in South Africa. We also

supported some smaller initiatives such as the donation of blankets and

clothes by the Waitrose Foundation and two schools in the UK.

Our objective remains to strengthen the trading relations within the supply

chain so as to increase the benefit we are able to bring to the communities

where we operate. We aim to achieve this not only by funding more projects

but also by continuing to trade ethically so that we can provide employment

and stimulate sustainable economic growth.

Much of our success in 2011 can be attributed to learning from our

experiences in year one and evolving our structure to more effectively

identify and manage projects. But what has really made the difference is the

energy and commitment from the farm workers and Blue Skies employees, all

of whom have shown a determination to make sure the projects are successful

and benefit their communities now and in the future.

The Board of Directors

Above: Foundation and community members gather outside one of our Year 1 projects.


BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Gloria Awunyo-Akaba Foundation Advisory Director

Gloria graduated from the University of Ghana Legon with a

Bachelor of Science in Banking & Finance. She started her career

with various work placements with Marks and Spencer Plc and

Barclays Bank. Gloria currently works with Zenith Bank Ghana Ltd where she has held positions as Head of Customer Service, Head of

Third Party Relationship Management and Head of Client Services.

Gloria enjoys working with the youth and carrying out community

work. She also likes reading, baking and being with friends and

family.

Anthony Pile Foundation Director, Blue Skies

Anthony Pile is the Founder and Chairman of Blue Skies, which he

setup in 1997. He was a soldier in the British Army for 13 years and

saw active service in the Middle East, Northern Ireland and Cyprus.

He has been a magistrate, attended the post graduate Sloan

Fellowship Programme at the London Business School and was the

Managing Director of Orchard House Foods. In 2011 Anthony

received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Cranfield in

recognition of his achievements with Blue Skies.

Mary Vizoso Foundation Director, Waitrose

Mary graduated from Kings College, London, and started her

career with Glaxo before joining Waitrose some 30 years ago. Over

the years she has held a number of roles, both technical and

commercial. It was within her role as Director, Food Technology &

FVH Buying, that she established the Foundation in 2005 with

Gordon Fairbrother, the Fruit Central Buyer at that time. In 2009,

based on the success of the SA model, Mary established two new

Foundations, one in Ghana, the other in Kenya.

Henri Zondag Foundation Director, Albert Heijn

Henri is a graduate from Nijenrode Business University in the

Netherlands. After active military service as an Infantry Officer in

the Dutch Army, he joined Procter & Gamble in 1982 where he

spent much of his career in customer development, marketing,

organizational development and general management. In 2007, he

was invited by Ahold to become involved in the development of

their Sustainable Business Development model. Henri currently

oversees community development projects in cooperation with

several African suppliers in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Mali

and Ghana.


FOUNDATION STAFF

Simon Derrick Blue Skies Foundation Coordinator

Simon graduated with a media degree from the University of Salford

in 2000 and completed a Masters in Sustainable Development at

Middlesex University in 2011. He has worked in television for the

BBC and as a web developer for a market research agency before

joining Blue Skies in 2005. Simon is currently Communications and

Sustainability Manager at Blue Skies and has responsibility for

developing the company’s brand.

Alistair Djimtey Blue Skies Foundation Manager

Alistair Derby Djimatey joined Blues Skies in 2002 as a quality

Assurance Officer. He progressed to the position of Audit Controller

in charge of ensuring compliance with BRC, GlobalGAP and organic

standards. He was also responsible for internal auditing of the

quality management system and training of newly employed staff as

well as refresher training for regular staff. Alistair has high affinity

for community service and advocacy. He was the chairman of the

local Union for over two years.

Waydu Matlala Blue Skies Foundation Officer, South Africa

Waydu Matlala was born in Siyathemba and is married with two

daughters. She is a graduate from graduated from Vanderbiljpack

Collage. Waydu joined Blue Skies in 2004 and was elected as

Welfare chairperson. She was appointed as a Quality Assurance

Officer in 2005 and was later made a team leader. Waydu enjoys

working closely with people and devoting time and effort where her

help is needed. In 2006 Waydu was promoted to the position of

Human Resource Manager and currently remains employed in this

capacity. She took on the additional responsibility as Foundation

Officer in 2009.


WHERE WE OPERATE

Ghana

Ghana situated in West Africa, and bordering the Ivory Coast and Togo has a land area close to that of the UK’s, encompassing 240,000 km2 of land with over 24 million people living there. The capital, Accra, is home to over 3.5 million people and is reported to be one of the fastest growing cities in the world. There are more than 100 ethnic groups in Ghana using over fifty languages with hundreds of dialects with English being the official language. Culturally Ghanaians have a strong regard for communal values such as family, respect for the elderly and honouring traditional leaders, and particular importance is placed on dignified social conduct and observing established local customs. It became the first country in Sub Saharan Africa to receive independence from the

United Kingdom, and it has a strong constitution which has ensured political stability for the past sixteen years. Rich in natural resources, Ghana is one of the world’s top gold producers, the second biggest exporter of cocoa and has also recently discovered oil. It is home to Lake Volta, the largest artificial lake in the world by surface area. This abundant wealth of natural resource combined with Ghana’s beauty, stability, and warm, hospitable people, make it the perfect country from which to produce much of our harvest-fresh, prepared fruit salads. Despite its numerous assets, Ghana is not without its major challenges. Ghana has seen tremendous economic growth over recent years; however poverty still has a firm grip in rural areas which are home to over half the country’s population. In many rural villages there is high unemployment and people have limited access to basic services such as potable water, proper sanitation, suitable schools and a decent standard of health care. Education in particular is seen as a priority among Ghanaians who see it as a source of hope for a brighter future. Many children will make every effort to dress smartly and attend school every day, even if it means having to study in poor, unsafe conditions. Proper sanitation is also an urgent need in many communities where there is a lack of hygienic facilities such as clean water and public latrines.


WHERE WE OPERATE

South Africa

South Africa, situated at the southern tip of Africa is the most industrialized

nation of the African continent. Divided into 9 provinces with around 50

million people, South Africa is a multilingual society with 11 official languages.

The country's first non-racial elections were held in April 1994. South Africa is

a multiparty parliamentary democracy in which constitutional power is shared

between the President and the Parliament. South Africa's post-apartheid

government has made remarkable progress in consolidating the nation's

peaceful transition to democracy. Programmes to improve the delivery of

essential social services to the vast population are underway. Access to better

opportunities in education and business is becoming more widespread.

Nevertheless, transforming South Africa's society to remove the legacy of

apartheid will be a long-term process requiring the sustained commitment of

the leaders and people of the nation's disparate groups.

The 1997 constitution's bill of rights

provides extensive guarantees,

including equality before the law and

prohibitions against discrimination;

the right to life, privacy, property,

and freedom and security of the

person; prohibition against slavery

and forced labour; and freedom of

speech, religion, assembly, and

association. The constitution provides

for an independent and impartial

judiciary, and, in practice, these

provisions are respected.

Although South Africa's society is

undergoing a rapid transformation,

some discrimination against women

continues, and discrimination against those living with HIV/AIDS remains.

South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV prevalence in the world, with

more than 5 million HIV-infected individuals.

South Africa has a two-tiered economy; one rivaling other developed

countries and the other with only the most basic infrastructure. South Africa is

the world's largest producer and exporter of platinum; is a significant

producer of gold, manganese, chrome, vanadium, and titanium; and also

exports a significant amount of coal. Primary agriculture accounts for about

2.5% of the gross domestic product. Major crops include citrus, deciduous

fruits and wheat.


OUR STRUCTURE

The Foundation structure is made up of a two layer structure; the Foundation

Council and its sub committees, and the Foundation Board. The key function of

the Foundation Council is to prioritise and shortlist projects and review

progress. The Council is made up of elected representatives of staff and

farming regions. The Foundation Manager or a Foundation Representative

also sits on the Council.

Council members representing farming regions act as Chair Persons of

Regional Committees. Regional Committees are made up of supplying

farmers who belong to a particular geographic grouping. Each farmer chairs

a Sub Committee for their respective community. By exception a community

member may be elected on to Regional Sub Committees in the case where a

farmer is not considered to be effectively fulfilling his/her role as a

community representative.

b) The Foundation Board comprises of four members as follows:

1- Albert Heijn

1- Waitrose

1- Blue Skies

1- Ghanaian Advisory Director

And

1- Foundation for Community Inspiration (non officio)

A Foundation Manager is appointed by the Board and reviewed on an annual

basis. The day to day management of the Foundation is carried out by the

Foundation Manager with support from a UK based coordinator and a

designated Blue Skies Manager. The Foundation Manager is responsible for

the efficient running of the Foundation and all the projects.

Governance Structure Diagram


2011 PROJECT OVERVIEW

Abortia Primary School, Ghana.

This project involved the construction of 6 classrooms, an office, staff common room and a 4-seater toilet for a community in Ghana. The school previously had no structure so classes for 120 pupils had to take place under trees. The project was completed in October 2011.

Daniel Safo Sports Complex, Ghana

This project involved the construction of a new sports facility for Blue Skies Ghana and the local community. The Daniel Safo Sports Centre was opened on the 20th of October by representatives of the Foundation Board and Mr Daniel Safo who generously donated the land upon which the facility is located. The multi-purpose court is able to host a variety of games including volley ball, hand-ball, netball and basket-ball.

Nsawam Old Hospital, Ghana

The objective of this project was to renovate the existing training centre for this specialist clinic in the town of Nsawam, Ghana. The project involved carrying out structural repairs, providing new doors and windows, plastering walls and painting floors. The work was completed in October 2011 and the centre is now in use by health professionals.

I M Manchu IT Centre, South Africa

This involved the purchase of 20 computers, a projector, 2 printers and a scanner for an IT resource centre for pupils and neighbouring communities of a school in South Africa. Headteacher Mrs Kubheka said that because of the Foundation’s support they are able to connect not only our learners to the internet, but also the entire community.

Tegwan's Nest School, South Africa

This project involved the provision of a perimeter fence for a rural primary school located near to an improvised community in South Africa. Previously the school had no fence and had been victim to vandalism and numerous break ins. The fence was finished in April 2011.

Kutlwano’s Orphanage, South Africa

This project involved the purchase of two computers, a photocopier and a scanner for a day centre for AIDS orphans in the local community in South Africa. The children go to the orphanage after school to be fed and to do their homework in a safe environment.


GHANA PROJECTS

Nsawam Old Hospital

Serving the entire community of Nsawam

and neighbouring villages, the Nsawam

hospital, built in the 1960’s, provides

patients with eye treatments, vaccinations

and treatment for skin disease - treating

more than 70 patients daily with over

2,400 treated annually. The conference

centre, refurbished by the Foundation,

provides a major training facility for

medical and non medical staff - also

hosting numerous workshops and serving

as a temporary office for visiting paramedics and other health professionals.

Much of the clinic including the training centre was in a deplorable condition

with broken floors, doors and windows, unsafe electrical wiring and

deteriorating paint work. Renovating the entire clinic outstretched the

Foundation’s annual allocation of funds, so prioritising spend, the conference

centre with training facilities received first round funding. The clinic chose the

conference centre as a priority, with a view that as part of a potentially bigger

project to extend the renovation project thereafter.

The project involved replacing electrical wiring, re-plastering walls, fixing

new ceilings, windows and doors, retiling floors, fixing new roofing sheets,

painting interior and exterior walls, constructing a new porch and entrance

and fixing an air conditioning unit. The project was completed in time and

under budget. It was officially opened in October 2011

The primary intended outcome for this project is to improve professional

health care delivery by enhancing the suitability of the training facility

thereby increasing the amount of training carried out for medical staff.

These outcomes are being measured by monitoring the frequency and

attendance of training sessions, assessing staff retention rates, and analyzing

data on the quality of care provided by the clinic. Monitoring will also be

carried out to evaluate how the structure is being maintained.

The Foundation is now looking to assist the clinic in finding additional

partners that can help to fund the renovation of the remaining structures.


GHANA PROJECTS

Abortia Primary School

The objective of this project was to construct a six classroom school building

and toilet block for a cluster of villages in one of the mango growing areas of

Ghana. The village of Abortia adjoins JT Mango farm, a supplier of Blue Skies,

and has a population of 500 residents including 120 children who attend the

local primary school. Previously all120 pupils had to attend classes in

temporary ‘sheds’ or under trees, therefore during adverse weather

conditions the school was forced to close. The provision of a new school

building would therefore serve to provide the village as well as surrounding

communities with a decent facility within which children can safely and

comfortably learn.

Work on the new school began in April 2011 by a local contractor. The project

involved constructing a six classroom block, head teacher’s office and a six-

seater KVIP block (compost toilet). Furniture for the school will be provided

by the District Assembly. The school was eventually completed in time for its

official opening in October the same year.

The head master of the Mr. Gilbert Kpogli, has said that the provision of the

new school is a “great relief since previously no teachers wanted to come to

the school because of the nature of the building. Now the student population is

shooting up, new teachers are accepting posts at the school and I am hoping

to have all the classrooms filled by the next academic year”. A class two pupil

Asena Abdullai said, “I am happy the school is not closing when raining

anymore and we stay in school till we close”. Miss Monica Adzah, a teacher

who has just been posted to the school, indicated that the environment is

great for academic work and she is looking forward a wonderful time in the

community.

Above: The picture on the left shows one of the old school buildings where

pupils attended classes and the picture on the right shows the new school

building constructed by the Foundation.


GHANA PROJECTS

Blue Skies Multi Use Games Area

The objective of this project was to provide a sports facility for the staff of Blue

Skies Ghana and the local community. Blue Skies are keen advocates of sport

and run a keep fit club which is recognised by the Ghana National Sports

Council and is a registered member of the Greater Accra Keep-Fit Clubs

Association. The club was setup by staff to bring together people from

different departments to engage in various sporting activities such as volley-

ball, hand ball and aerobics. Previously the keep-fit club did not have a

dedicated facility in which it could carry out activities other than on a spare

patch of land within the factory site.

This project therefore involved constructing a multi purpose games area (or

‘MUGA’), which would be used by Blue Skies staff and over seven

surrounding communities; and host a number of sporting activities including

basket ball, volley ball, bend ball and handball. It is hoped that this would

encourage a healthy and active human resource to help with community

development, and assist in bringing communities together through sport.

Construction work begun in August 2011 and the facility was finally

completed in October and named the ‘Daniel Safo Sports Facility’ after the

person who had kindly donated the land upon which the MUGA is located.

Since its completion, the MUGA has become a centre for sporting activities,

particularly as there is no other similar facility in the entire municipality. It has

also helped to increase the membership of the Blue Skies Keep Fit Club,

which uses the facility more than twice a week. Perpetual Ofasi, General

Manager of the Blue Skies Juice Company, who is also the leader of the Keep

Fit Club, said that since the facility was opened interest in keep fit activities

among staff had increased by over 50%.


SOUTH AFRICA PROJECTS

I I Munchu IT Centre

This project involved the purchase of

20 computers, a projector and a

scanner for an IT Resource Centre for

pupils and neighbouring

communities of a school in South

Africa. I M Manchu Secondary School

has over 700 students and is situated

near to the Blue Skies factory in South

Africa in the Gert Sibande Region

(Balfour) in the Mpumalanga

Province. Until 2007 the school was

the only school in the town of Balfour

to offer computer studies as part of the curriculum. The school also offers IT

courses for the local community; however the centre was nearing full capacity

which restricted the number of learners able to make use of the faculties.

The new centre was officially opened during the school’s graduation

ceremony. Headteacher Mrs Kubheka said that because of the Foundation’s

support they are able to connect not only our learners to the internet, but also

the entire community of Dipaleseng. She said “We are very much pleased and

thankful to your young company as it is the only one around that seems to

understand our vision and decided to partner with us to provide this

equipment. It is already making a difference to our learners and teachers, as

through them we are strengthening our position as the ICT place of reference

in Balfour.”

Above: The new computer centre at I M Manchu Secondary School


SOUTH AFRICA PROJECTS

Fence for Tegwan’s Nest Combined School

This project involved the provision of

a perimeter fence for a rural primary

school located near to an improvised

community in South Africa.

Previously the school had no fence

and had been victim to vandalism

and numerous break-ins. The fence

was constructed in April 2011.

Principal Mr J.S Galela said at a

thanks-giving ceremony “For many

years we struggled without a fence,

we were called by all names because we were without a fence. Our Library

was destroyed and vandalized because the school was without security.” he

added “The school is now secured with a new face lift and a new recognition,

our words cannot be enough but from the bottom of our hearts thank you Blue

Skies and may the blessing of God be with you.”

Blue Skies Foundation Officer, Waydu Matlala, said “I am humbled about what

the Foundation is doing for my community and more grateful that I am part of

this project to see and witness change in people’s lives”.

Kutlwano Orphanage

This has involved the purchase of two computers, a photocopier and a scanner

for a day centre for AIDS orphans in the local community in South Africa. The

children go to the orphanage after school to be fed and to do their homework

in a safe environment.

Above: The picture on the left shows Kutlwano Orphanage from the outside.

The picture on the right shows the new equipment being used inside the

orphanage.


OTHER PROJECTS

In addition to our bigger projects, there are also a number of smaller

initiatives that the Foundation has supported over the past year.

Some of the highlights include the donation of

blankets by the Waitrose Foundation for

Ghana and South Africa. The blankets came

from a group of knitters in the UK were given

to a number of organisations including a

nursery school in South Africa (pictured left)

and a hospital in Ghana.

In addition, a number of books, toys and

clothes have been donated by Harlestone

and Brington Primary schools in the UK.

These were presented to schools in Ghana

including Sekykrom Kindergarden (pictured

left) and Dobro Primary school. Many of the

clothes that have been donated have been

used by Ghanaian schools as their ‘Friday

wear’ and reports have indicated that this has

helped to improve attendance.

Other projects carried out include the provision of a kitchen for Sekykrom

Kindergarten. This is a project that the Foundation renovated in 2010 and has

continued to support by providing an extension to the structure. The kitchen

was opened in October 2011 and provides the kindergarten with a clean and

safe environment in which to prepare and serve food. Another project was to

provide playground equipment for Budukwaa Community Centre and

Kindergarten. Both of these projects were carried out using funds donated by

our Supporters ‘The Foundation for Community Inspiration’.

Above: the exterior of the completed kitchen at Sekykrom Kindergarten.


The Blue Sky Foundation PO Box C 3506, Accra, Ghana

www.bsfoundation.tumblr.com

Documents

BLUE SKIES FOUNDATION · Albert Heijn is Dutch Supermarket Company and has 750 stores in the Netherlands. Like Waitrose, Albert Heijn also focuses on selling quality food and offering