A waste management project by ChildFund with the support of Coca Cola has imparted entrepreneurial skills to hundreds of youth and women in Nairobi as well as sensitized 25,000 households on proper waste collection and disposal.
ChildFund Kenya Country Director Alice Anukur says the project dubbed Tunawiri na Taka empowered the youth and women to make money from waste. This was through strengthening partnerships with waste management partners to ensure there was a ready market for things such as plastic waste.
“The Tunawiri na Taka Project promoted the participation of children in environmental conservation through environmental clubs and the collaboration with local administration in community mobilization, security, dissemination of messages, active participation in all activities.
“Even as we exit, we know that we are leaving behind a community that is environment- conscious and one that will work collaboratively to maintain a clean environment and counter the effect of climate change,” said Anukur.
The one-year waste management program was conducted in Mukuru informal settlement and helped create a healthy and clean physical environment.
Due to unplanned spaces characterized by a lack of access to adequate sanitation and sewerage facilities, lack of waste management structures with solid waste being dumped on sidewalks and open spaces, people in Mukuru suffer from public health and environmental issues.
Women and youth were especially affected by these issues, and they also have limited economic opportunities to advance themselves. The project has improved the knowledge and capacity of over 500 individuals on waste management-collection, sorting and recycling/reuse-in Mukuru.
The Tunawiri kwa Taka Project has sensitized over 25,000 families on proper waste collection and disposal, collected and properly disposed of over 2 tonnes of waste, and worked with the community to plant over 10,000 tree seedlings.
The project also increased the entrepreneurial skills of over 400 women and youth aged between 18 and 35 years who were equipped with personal protective gear and waste management tools and equipment and were linked to waste recyclers; and their groups registered with the Nairobi Metropolitan Services.