MTO WA MBU CLEANING
Mto Wa Mbu is a strategic road in nothern Tanzania leading to the famous Serengeti nationl park. Currently, the area adjacent to the road is severely polluted by plastic and other domestic waste. The project aims to remove the waste from the Mto Wa Mbu area and to maintain the cleanliness and its natural beauty.
The project composes of three programs which are:
1) Clean-up program
2) Environmental awareness campaign
3) Educational Outreach program
The purpose of these programs is to provide an organized garbage disposal to the residents of Mto wa mbu, to increase of environmental awareness of the local population and to avoid an uncontrolled waste disposal.
METHODOLOGY
The expected output of the Clean-up Program is for the residents to introduce the importance of a clean streets area. Since the elderly are busy with their works as a parent and guardian, their children will be the one expected to show them what they have to do for streets clean-up during every season. It’s to lessen the waste materials which are being thrown and to be able to set a permanent schedule for a streets clean-up in which the vehicle will pass according to the schedule in respective streets to make sure the produced waste are all taken to the main damping site. The prospect of Environmental Awareness Program primarily focuses on the engagement of proper waste disposal and discourage the burning of plastics. By showing them video clips on segregation, recycling and documentaries from TV shows gave us an opportunity to orient them to stop burning and do recycling. To have a clean surrounding that is essential for a healthy living, people will segregate biodegradable materials, apply the 3R’s (reduce, re-use, recycle) and practice the “clean and green” principle. Lastly, the Educational Outreach Program’s outlook is to educate children in the most basic principles of being a productive Tanzania citizen. We give out writing materials, for the children to remember the lectures conducted. As the team orients them into five lectures and they are expected to live with those learning's and put them into practice. These are made possible by doing a forum after every clean-up drive which is done during weekends and holidays Total estimated budget 450’000 USD (1,035,020,000 TSHS) dedicated to by technical equipment (garbage waste collecting compactor, waste bins, heavy duty skip bucket), to pay the salaries of the workers and to organise educational and awareness campaigns in the villages and in the schools. The project will be launched when the first financial package will be available (100’000 USD). The Foundation of Green Community expects the financial support from big Tanzanian and international companies to sponsor this project. Minimum financial contribution is 30’000 USD, which allows to clean-up 10 km of the road and 3 villages surrounding the road. All sponsors will be acknowledged for its financial contribution by means of an advertising billboard alongside the road.
RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS
We regularly organise public awareness meetings in the district of Monduli (nothern Tanzania) in order to sensibilize the local population about the health and environmental issues.
Recently (20th of November 2021), we organized a meeting including three urban villages namely, Barabarani, Kisutu and Magadini, the villages largely contributing into waste production and uncontrolled waste disposal. Many different economic activities are conducted in this area. The awareness meeting was attended by 33 members, among them were ward and village leaders and the members of local environmental committees.
Next day after the meeting (21st of November), a public cleaning action was organized. The aim was not only to collect and evacuate the waste in these three villages, but to sensibilize the local population on the problems caused by the uncontrolled waste disposal and to prevent this disposal in the future.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR SCHOOLCHILDREN
Children are our future. They should be different from their parents. They are curious and able to quickly learn new things. They do not yet have their own installed habits, but they mimic the gests and behaviour of the adults. Therefore, sensibilizing kids in the early age is necessary to bring them good rules and right education.
During Saturday visits to the villages, our team noticed children playing near big waste collection points. Upon arrival, a sudden curiosity strikes them. That leads us to an inspiration which is to involve them in such lectures that would help them to be more productive and spend their spare time on meaningful things. The purpose of the program is to influence and inspire young people to indulge in fun and helpful activities. Emphasizing the fun for a cause concept, the children in the said area became the front runners for awareness. They influence their parents to collect and recycle the plastic instead of burning it. The team also teaches them the most vital part of work which is loyalty.
The Educational Outreach Program’s outlook is to educate children in the most basic principles of being a productive Tanzania citizen. We teach them in a funny and easy way how to recycle plastic materials and other waste. We give them booklets and flyers to remember the lectures conducted. The Education program is divided into five lectures and the children are expected to live with those learning's and put them into practice.
