Press release: AKO Foundation gives NOK 10 million to The Sørlandet Foundation
AKO Foundation grants NOK 10 million to the The Sørlandet Foundation. When the pandemic put its clammy hand over the community, The Sørlandet Foundations subsidiary – A+ World Academy – canceled this school year. That resulted in big losses. "Now we can develop an even better school," says Knut Arne Gjertsen enthusiastically. He is director of the The Sørlandet Foundation. He is very grateful, and believes in operation again next school year - adapted to the pandemic status though .
The AKO Foundation provides NOK 6.9 million for the development of an even better school and 3.1 million who will go to scholarships for foreign talented young people who will not otherwise be able to afford to attend our school. Sailing around the world with the A+ World Academy has enabled year-round operation of "Southern Norway's jewel", and the support from AKO Foundation also contributes to the preservation of the world's oldest sailing cultural heritage.
"It's never so bad that it's not good for anything"says Gjertsen. When Sørlandet came home with last year's students after being coronastuck for five weeks in Bermuda it was with some mixed emotions. To everyone's delight and relief, everyone came home to the wonderful reception on May 17th - the Norwegian Constitution Day. Already then, it was clear that the pandemic created major challenges with cancelled school year, lost revenue and big maintenance needs. This autumn, the ship has been in dry dock, repaired the hull and prepared for new climate-friendly engines. In addition, school staff have begun work on planning an even better school. A third of pupils' capacity has already entered the school, and it looks like the next school year is being quickly completed.
The Foundation applied to the State, Agder County Council and Kristiansand municipality for support for the maintenance of the ship. Money that also will be spent on businesses and thus have a double effect. NOK 30 million was given to the work of preserving the ship and thus adding business activities to enterprises that are also characterized by the pandemic.
The ship is now in Mandal where GOT Norway together with Søgne Elektiske AS will contribute with its good competence and capacity. "New engines will be installed, we will put in place a sewage treatment plant, a new ventilation system, the bathrooms to be renovated and much else" says Gjertsen. It will be the "spa-stay" for the old lady.
The full rigger Sørlandet is currently developing a new summer programme and she'll be available for trips and voyages in the southern skerries of Norway. To the great delight of all Southerners and tourists.
Media coverage in Norway (in Norwegian)
Fædrelandsvennen 23.12.2020 (paywall): Gir til millioner til fullriggeren Sørlandet
Nrk Sørlandet 23.12.2020: Sørlandet får 10 millioner
Lindesnes 23.12.2020 (paywall): Fullriggeren Sørlandet for 10 mill.
N247.no 23.12.2020: Årets mest fantastiske julegave til Fullriggeren Sørlandet
Dagbladet 23.12.2020: Får milliongave
NRK Sørlandssendinga 23.12.2020: Millioner til Fullriggeren
Finansavisen 23.12.2020: Skoleskip på Sørlandet får milliongave fra Tangen-stiftelse
About the Foundation The Ship Sørlandet
The foundation's purpose is to own, preserve and operate the full-rigger Sørlandet – the world's oldest fullrigger in full operation. The ship shall be preserved through active use. The subsidiary A+ World Academy contributes to it.
About A+ World Academy
A + World Academy is an international high school that sails to cities in many countries on the school ship Sørlandet . The students learn to sail the ship and take their education while at sea. In each port, we engage students in the culturally and historically relevant aspects of the city, opening their eyes to things they have never imagined. It's a wonderful way to discover people, places and cultures while completing a year of high school.
www.aplusworldacademy.org
Social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplusworldacademy/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aplusworldacademy/
Contact
Knut Arne Gjertsen
Director | Chairman
The foundation The Ship Sørlandet | A+ World Academy GmbH
PO Box 102 | 4662 Kristiansand | Norway
Visiting address: Kirkegaten 1 - Entrance from Kongensgate | Kristiansand
T: +47 38 02 98 90 | M: +47 922 50 533
Director@sorlandet.org | www. The Ship .no | www.aplusworldacademy.org
