Recycling 2,000 Tons of Trash in Kibera

The Youth of Taka ni Pato spent the last quarter training other youth in Kibera about the environmental and economic importance of waste management recycling. These trainings included a community outreach event in the Lindi village of Kibera, at which puppet shows and other drama efforts were used to spread environmental and peace messages. The event attracted hundreds of interested community members, and several individuals and youth groups were recruited to learn about responsible waste collection and disposal.

The outreach efforts also included leadership trainings, based in the idea that a good, strong and democratic leadership is vital for the development and success of the group. The leadership trainings introduced to the participants various types of successful leadership and helped them to analyze and identify the skills and qualities of a good leader.

Also part of the training efforts, the experienced youth taught others about identifying potentially valuable materials from the waste and shared ideas on how to turn that recyclable material into marketable goods.

Finally, Taka ni Pato organized exchange visits, which allowed the new youth recycling groups to get first-hand exposure to successful waste management and marketing.

The community trainings of this quarter culminated with the exhibition of Taka ni Pato work at the village market in early December. The youth, both experienced and newly-trained, were able to interact with business people of related fields and to exchange ideas and strategies. The youth also sold various products of their recycled work.

As always, we welcome your comments and feedback. On behalf of the youth, staff, and volunteers of Carolina for Kibera, thank you all for your support! Without your generosity, our work would not be possible.