At Olympus Power, we believe that making a positive impact goes beyond the energy solutions we deliver. It also means supporting organisations that are making a meaningful difference to communities around the world.
As a proud charity partner of Transaid, we’re pleased to highlight the international development organisation’s latest initiatives, inspiring stories and opportunities for businesses and individuals to get involved.
Working with local partners across sub-Saharan Africa, Transaid helps improve road safety, strengthen access to healthcare and develop safer, more sustainable transport systems.
From professional driver training to emergency transport services, its programmes demonstrate how access to reliable transport can create opportunities, protect lives and strengthen communities.
Transforming Lives Through Transport: The People Behind Transaid’s Work
Behind every programme are individuals and families whose lives are being positively impacted.
Three recent stories from Zambia and South Africa demonstrate the importance of Transaid’s work and the difference that safer, more accessible transport can make.
Helping Families Access Essential Healthcare in Zambia
For communities in rural Zambia, reaching a healthcare facility can be challenging, particularly during medical emergencies.
When Minivah Miselo began experiencing labour pains, her mother contacted their community’s Emergency Transport System (ETS).
A local rider named Vincent arrived with a bicycle ambulance and transported Minivah to Kalela Rural Health Post, where she safely gave birth to her baby boy, Trust, in the early hours of the following morning.
Minivah’s experience highlights the importance of combining community health education with practical transport solutions.
Through Transaid and its partners’ MAMaZ programmes in Zambia, skilled birth attendance increased from 46% to 78%.
These initiatives help communities recognise when medical attention is needed and provide a means of reaching trained healthcare professionals.
Creating New Opportunities Through Professional Driver Training
At 62, former teacher Banda Helms is demonstrating that learning new skills can create opportunities at any stage of life.
Following his retirement from teaching, Banda enrolled at Zambia’s Industrial Training Centre to work towards his Class C truck licence.
His ambition is to develop a new source of income, support his family and contribute to the movement of agricultural goods.
For more than 20 years, Transaid has partnered with the Industrial Training Centre to strengthen professional driver training through a sustainable train-the-trainer approach.
Together, these efforts have helped more than 25,000 drivers and riders develop skills to improve safety on the roads.
Banda’s experience illustrates how professional training can support employment opportunities while contributing to safer and more effective transport networks.
Championing Safer Public Transport in South Africa
In South Africa, minibus taxi owner and driver Maritha Longeveld is helping promote safer, more inclusive public transport.
Through Transaid’s work with the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and Sonke Gender Justice, more than 120 people working within the minibus taxi industry have received training.
The programme has also supported the development of a Safe Minibus Taxi Charter, helping encourage improvements in safety and inclusion across the sector.
Together, these three stories demonstrate the wider impact of Transaid’s work, from healthcare access and employment opportunities to safer public transport.
Read more: Stories from Transaid’s programmes
Support Transaid’s 2026 Christmas Appeal
As the festive season approaches, Transaid is inviting businesses and individuals to support its 2026 Christmas Appeal.
The appeal raises unrestricted funding, enabling the organisation to direct resources where they are most needed and continue working alongside local partners across sub-Saharan Africa.
There are several ways to get involved.
Make a Difference This Christmas
- Christmas greeting cards: Order Transaid-themed cards by 13 November 2026.
- Christmas Jumper Day: Bring colleagues together on 1 December 2026, wear a festive jumper, make a donation and share a photograph using #TransaidXmas26.
- Make a donation: Support Transaid’s ongoing programmes through its Christmas Appeal.
Even relatively small contributions can help support important activities:
| Donation | What it could help fund |
|---|---|
| £3 | A high-visibility vest for a driver in Ghana |
| £10 | An eye test and glasses for a driver in Kenya |
| £30 | A contribution towards a community food bank in Zambia |
The funds raised help Transaid continue its work improving road safety, access to healthcare and sustainable transport opportunities.
Support the appeal: Donate to Transaid’s 2026 Christmas Appeal
Take on Transaid’s Italy to Slovenia Cycling Challenge in 2027
For those looking to combine a personal challenge with fundraising for a worthwhile cause, Transaid is also inviting participants to join its Italy to Slovenia Cycling Challenge in May 2027.
The four-day cycling route will take participants from Jesolo Beach near Venice through vineyard-covered hills, valleys and the Julian Alps, before finishing beside Lake Bohinj in Slovenia.
Along the way, riders will cross the Predil Pass and visit Lake Bled.
Challenge Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event dates | 17–22 May 2027 |
| Cycling distance | 335km over four days |
| Total climbing | 3,650 metres |
| Registration fee | £249 |
| Fundraising pledge | £2,350 |
| Registration deadline | 22 March 2027 |
Participants can register individually or bring together colleagues for a team challenge.
Funds raised will support Transaid’s work to improve access to safe, available and sustainable transport.
For businesses, the challenge also offers an opportunity to bring colleagues together around a shared fundraising goal while supporting an international development organisation.
Find out more: Join Transaid’s Italy to Slovenia 2027 Cycle Challenge
Olympus Power’s Commitment to Supporting Transaid
At Olympus Power, our work focuses on helping commercial and industrial businesses reduce energy costs, strengthen energy resilience and improve their long-term sustainability through renewable energy solutions.
Our partnership with Transaid reflects a wider commitment to supporting positive, lasting change.
Reliable infrastructure, responsible operations and long-term thinking are important to both organisations, even though our work addresses different challenges.
By supporting Transaid and helping raise awareness of its programmes, we hope to encourage more businesses and individuals to get involved.
From supporting the Christmas Appeal to taking on the 2027 cycling challenge, there are meaningful opportunities to contribute.
Find out more about Transaid and how you can support its work: www.transaid.org