Part of the London 2012 Olympic Games’ legacy can now be seen in Northern Uganda. Earlier this year the multicolored thermoplastic membranes developed by Dow to “wrap” the Olympic Stadium were installed at the Patongo Vocational Centre, Northern Uganda.
The centre is run by a local NGO, Passion for Community in partnership with Chance for Childhood it provides vocational training, education and sanctuary for former child soldiers and other vulnerable young people affected by conflict and poverty in Northern Uganda.
The colored panels of the Stadium Wrap were made from a fabric coated with Dow polyolefin elastomers. This innovative material was developed by Dow in record time for the London 2012 Olympic Games in order to address the rigorous safety and sustainability requirements of the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).
The Stadium Wrap enabled the completion of the Olympic Stadium construction project as originally planned by architects and assisted with visual signage for the public attending the event.
Panels from the Stadium Wrap were installed as shades at the Patongo Vocational Centre to increase the available space for outdoor activities. The reuse project was completed in partnership with ES Global, a worldwide expert company that joined forces with Dow for the wrap’s post-game reuse plan.
The project also offered an opportunity to provide training and work to ten vulnerable young people, who installed the panels and canopies after going through a tailored training program.
Speaking during the unveiling, Dow Sub-Saharan Africa Leader, Ross McLean said,
With the Olympic Stadium Wrap we bring another example of our unique technology to this dynamic part of the world. Sport is a huge unifier in Africa. It is extremely popular and it has a positive impact on communities; it is a way of communicating and educating. I am very proud that, via this global initiative we have been able to bring a little piece of London to Uganda. It has helped Dow make a difference in the community of Patongo and we will continue doing so.
Also speaking at the launch, the Speaker of the Parliament of EALA Right Hon. Daniel Kidega, noted,
Uganda’s National Anthem was the last one to be played at the 2012 London Olympics games. Receiving a part of that stadium is a great honour not only to Ugandans but to the whole of East Africa which has had great representation and participation at Olympic Games.
Beyond the Stadium Wrap, Dow also donated soccer balls which the company has developed using new advanced technology which allows the balls to retain their form and shape without pumping air.
The soccer balls donated today have not been used elsewhere in Africa. They will go a long way in helping the children and the community of Patongo to enjoy soccer, a game that is phenomenally popular in this region.
Soccer will also form part of the rehabilitation therapy delivered at the centre.
While receiving the stadium wrap, David Lagen, the Director of Patongo Vocational Center said,
We have already witnessed great impact in the community since the completion of this project. Indeed it has come as good news for the whole community here and it has reignited the role of sports as a powerful tool for community integration.”
Anna-Mai Estrella, Executive Director of Chance for Childhood reported: “It has been fantastic to work with Dow on this project, which illustrates how a multinational company is making a genuine difference by partnering with local communities”.
The centre is run by a local NGO, Passion for Community in partnership with Chance for Childhood it provides vocational training, education and sanctuary for former child soldiers and other vulnerable young people affected by conflict and poverty in Northern Uganda.
The colored panels of the Stadium Wrap were made from a fabric coated with Dow polyolefin elastomers.
This innovative material was developed by Dow in record time for the London 2012 Olympic Games in order to address the rigorous safety and sustainability requirements of the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG).
The Stadium Wrap enabled the completion of the Olympic Stadium construction project as originally planned by architects and assisted with visual signage for the public attending the event.
Panels from the Stadium Wrap were installed as shades at the Patongo Vocational Centre to increase the available space for outdoor activities.
The reuse project was completed in partnership with ES Global, a worldwide expert company that joined forces with Dow for the wrap’s post-game reuse plan.
The project also offered an opportunity to provide training and work to ten vulnerable young people, who installed the panels and canopies after going through a tailored training program.