Green Light Project
“I had to drop out of high school due to high tuition fees, but thanks to Green Light Project (GLP) school, I was able to attend university.”
These are the words of Dyton, the very first graduate of the GLP school in Lilongwe, Malawi. Since his graduation, he has been working on a local ‘Radio Education Project’ since 2021, helping the younger generations with their education and growth. The GLP school is part of Kia’s ‘Green Light Project,’ aimed at improving the disheartening educational environment in Lilongwe, Malawi.
GLP has been Kia’s flagship global CSR project since 2012, supporting marginalized communities in Africa to achieve growth and independence. Through GLP, Kia has focused on education, healthcare, vocational training, and agricultural training to help African communities attain economic and social independence.
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Thanks to the support we’ve received from GLP in terms of medical staff, facilities, and medicine, we are no longer forced to send anyone home without treatment. With GLP's help, the locals’ trust in healthcare facilities has increased, making our GLP Community Health Center the most frequented health center.
GLP Community Health Center, Dr. Tadeo Munialo
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Mayuge, Uganda, is a marginalized area neglected even by most NGOs. Thanks to Kia's unwavering support and prolonged assistance, many residents are able to lead a healthier life, and local governments and leaders have actively cooperated to improve the healthcare environment and access to medical assistance.
NPO Korea Food for the Hungry International’s Mayuge, Uganda Partner
Building Social Infrastructure Such as Schools and Hospitals in 15 African Countries in Twelve Years
Starting in Nagashanqui, Tanzania, in August 2012, and reaching as far as Sédhiou, Senegal, GLP has operated in 15 African countries over the past 12 years. The project has built essential infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, vocational training centers, and agricultural training centers in 19 different sites. Through this project, Kia has contributed to reducing educational disparities, as well as supporting healthcare and economic development to strengthen self-reliance on both an individual and community basis.
Operating Mobile Programs to Overcome Mobility Barriers
GLP has also provided further opportunities for growth and self-development through mobile support systems, including mobile libraries, mobile clinics, and mobile vocational training vehicles. This practical support to local communities aligns with Kia’s mission to contribute to a free and safe movement of humankind.
Operating school buses, agricultural transportation, logistics, and healthcare vehicles has allowed travel times to schools and hospitals to be reduced by 765,255 hours over ten years (2012–2022), saving more than 600 million KRW in commuting costs. This enabled 753,321 people to overcome mobility barriers and experience an improved quality of life.
Employee Growth Through Volunteering
Kia employees have also participated in GLP. From 2013 to 2019, before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a ‘Green Light Global Volunteer Group’ was operated as part of GLP, allowing Kia employees worldwide to participate directly in GLP projects out in the field. Through these experiences, employee volunteers also achieved personal growth.
This is reflected in the feedback from volunteers: “through small acts of sharing, I experienced the transformation of a small seed of hope into a healthy fruit-bearing tree,” and “Seeing the bright smiles of children growing up in challenging conditions made me reflect on my own life.” These experiences provided the volunteers with an opportunity for personal growth and strengthened their determination to continue sharing with others in the future.
Kia’s ‘Green Light Project’ continues to work toward sustainable independence in Africa to this day.
‘Green Light Project’ Achievements
*2012~2022
Beneficiaries and users
925,654 Created social value
37.16 billion KRW
Key Achievements by Sector
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Healthcare
Patients treated274,112
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Education
children and parents644,538
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Economy
Graduates from training centers (vocational/agricultural) 7,004
