By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
GVR Bottlers Company Limited, in a remarkable act of Corporate Social Responsibility, donated 100 bags filled with school supplies, food items and clothing to the Milton Margai School for the Blind on Saturday, 12 July 2025. The ceremony, held at the school’s premises on Wilkinson Road in Freetown, was a moment of joy and appreciation for pupils and staff alike.
Each pupil received a branded bag containing essential items including notebooks, pens, T-shirts, caps, Coca-Cola beverages, biscuits, cheese balls and a white cane to aid mobility for the visually impaired.
Krishna, General Manager of GVR Bottlers Company Limited, expressed the company’s motivation behind the donation, emphasizing its commitment to supporting vulnerable communities. He noted that over the past two years, the company has expanded its operations, taking over cold storage facilities and initiating full-scale beverage production.
“As part of our corporate philanthropy, we prioritize reaching out to vulnerable communities, including the Milton Margai School for the Blind,” Krishna stated. He highlighted previous interventions by the company in the Dwarzack community, home to their operations, including the donation of wheelchairs and support for local development efforts.
Krishna reaffirmed GVR Bottlers’ mission to produce both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages such as Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Vimto, Parrot Energy Drink and mineral water, with plans to diversify into juice production and agriculture in the near future.
Hennrey Du Plessis, a member of the company’s support team, also spoke at the event. “We are honoured to give back to the children of the Milton Margai School for the Blind,” he said. “This donation includes not only basic supplies but items that bring joy and help support the personal development of these children. Supporting the vulnerable has always been part of our values.”
Receiving the donation on behalf of the school, Principal Salieu Turay expressed deep appreciation. “This donation is both meaningful and timely. While all items are important, the white canes are particularly vital, as they enhance our pupils’ independence and daily mobility,” he said. He added that while younger pupils may not yet use them, older students and adults depend on these tools for navigation.
Principal Salieu Turay appealed for continued support, underscoring that the school’s boarding home provides accommodation for 93 blind persons ranging from primary school pupils to university students and provides three meals a day.
Also present was Councillor Thaimu Turay of the Dwarzack community, popularly known as “Thaimu on the Road.” He praised the company not only for the donation but for creating job opportunities and driving local development. “This is not the first time GVR Bottlers has supported our community,” he said. “Their presence has brought jobs and hope, and today’s donation reflects their inclusive approach.”
The event concluded with the joyful distribution of the bags to pupils, many of whom received them with bright smiles and heartfelt gratitude. The donation stands as another milestone in GVR Bottlers Company Limited’s ongoing effort to balance business growth with meaningful social impact.
