African Homes ltd.
"Today in Africa we recognize that Trade and Investment and not aid are the pillars of development."
Today, HELOG LUFTTRANSPORT KG is one of the major European Helicopter Operators in Africa, maintaining an excellent network in many African states and continuously expanding business operations there. Safety, reliability and trust are the key principles of HELOG Lufttransport KG. Based on these principles alone, HELOG LUFTTRANSPORT KG has convinced some African Governments to award the company the role of acting as their exclusive carrier for their leaders and government officials.
HELOG Lufttransport assumes responsibility in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility by working on various projects.
One of the major projects is
"African Homes Ltd."
The construction of homes on the African market is one of today's major challenges. The extremely bad housing situation of the lower class can only be solved by government measures. But the current housing situation of the middle class also leaves much to be desired. It is last but not least the lack of living space that prompts many well-qualified people to leave the country. This, in turn, means a loss for the developing countries which may prejudice the development of the country with lasting effect. It is an urgent concern of these countries to keep their elite within the country.
The infrastructure has often suffered terribly due to long periods of war; with part of the existing buildings dating back to colonial times, often in dire need of renovation or partly destroyed. The necessary infrastructure such as electricity, water and sewage does not exist - a problem that needs to be solved. In developing countries as well, the demands and requirements in terms of equipment and quality have risen in recent years.
Various studies have shown that there is an enormous demand within the important population group of the middle class for functional, well-equipped homes with a high quality standard which currently cannot be met in a satisfactory fashion and within a short timeframe.
By founding the subsidiary "AFRICAN HOMES LTD." in Freetown/Sierra Leone, HELOG Lufttransport KG wants to face this challenge and provide a solution by offering a comprehensive concept.
An office acting as contact centre in Europe has been opened additionally in Germany.
Objective of the company is the construction of pre-fabricated homes, particularly tailored and designed for the African requirements and market, in order to meet the high demand for functional living space for middle-class families. AFRICAN HOMES seeks to distinguish itself from low-cost suppliers by virtue of its sophisticated concept. Highest European standards are being applied regarding statics, materials used and construction work. Thanks to their extraordinary design, high functionality and optimum room layout could be achieved. Attractive fittings, the use of modern materials, a short construction time and the affordable prices of our houses are unbeatable arguments for our idea.
And: We are the forerunner for the single-house energy concept in Africa.
Thanks to our sophisticated energy concept, we meet the most exacting wishes and ideas of experts in CO2 reduction.
Economical and responsible handling of ressources, and climate protection are issues close to our heart. The Earth's climate is changing at a rate that has not been seen before in human history.
The changes have been linked to rising concentrations of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.
As an addition in terms of equipment offered, we therefore deliver a solar energy system for power generation which, alongside the power needed for air conditioning, covers the entire power requirement for the house. Thanks to our houses being equipped with renewable energies such as the solar energy system for power generation, the power supply can be provided independently and, due to the climate in Africa, also sustainably. CO2 emission is minimized, as the power generation by diesel-powered generators to supply air conditioning systems is minimized or only required from time to time.
The founders of AFH look back on more than 10 years of experience in the realization of projects, particularly the CSR project on the African market. Sustainability and added value are established values which we live up to in our company - values which are implemented in our various divisions.
Value-adding for the high-quality elements in Germany is equally important to us as is the share of the value that can be added in the project countries.
About 70% or our products and materials needed for the construction of our houses are produced or purchased in Germany, e. g.
- wooden structure
- roof structure
- roof insulation
- doors and windows
- sanitary equipment
- kitchens
- electrical equipment
- solar system
- filtering system for water
Despite the individual parts being pre-fabricated in Germany, the value added in the project country is still considerable, particularly due to time-consuming work performed, e. g.
- concrete foundation plate
- bricking-up
- plaster work
- painting
- tiling
- sewage system
- outdoor facilities
- well system
In spite of the often difficult environment, we make efforts to apply higher social standards, to provide better training and better environmental protection regarding the jobs we create, thus to achieve a higher standard of living for the people. In doing so, we indirectly also assume a certain responsibility for the implementation of human rights.
Helog was by the way among the first few companies joining the Global Compact of the United Nations in 2002. The goals and objectives of the Global Compact deserved our confidence and met our expectations in the Corporate Social Responsibility issues.
It goes without saying that HELOG also applies and observes these criteria for the activities of "African Homes Ltd.", and that it expects its suppliers to do the same.
Affordable family homes for the African market: www.african-homes.com