2022 Edition

Urban waste especially plastic bottles are an environmental hazard in Cameroon that pose a serious problem to the free functioning of people and institutions. Though the government has for years been battling with the issue of proper management, it is more of policy than the actual implementation. That is the reason why in every 10m on the streets of towns in Cameroon (especially Bamenda town where this project is located) one can find discarded plastic bottles. Due to nonavailability of proper disposal and management know-how of waste, people have resorted to solving the problem in ways which are both detrimental to the natural environment and humans. Streets in Bamenda town, rivers and agricultural farm lands are blocked by these plastic waste thereby creating health hazards. The idea of using plastic bottles emanated from a need created by the Anglophone crisis that has affected the education of children in the two Anglophone regions of Cameroon. Education is a fundamental human right that must be undertaken in an environment that is safe from all huddles. The physical and psychological environments play an important role on the teaching/learning process. For over 5years now (2016-present) children in both the North West and South West regions of  Cameroon have not been able to go to school for security reasons and poverty due to the damage of property as a result of the war. Thousands of houses, schools and valuable property have been destroyed leading to abject poverty and the vulnerability of many children This project aims at recycling thousands of plastic bottles as eco-bricks for the construction of a low-cost school that provides free and affordable education for children displaced due to the anglophone crisis in Cameroon. Secondly children are trained on how to recycle plastic bottles to usable equipment like chairs, handbags, flower jars etc. Therefore, the idea of using plastic bottles (Eco-bricks) will solve the problem of security at school since they are fire and bullet resistant. Secondly it also help to solve environmental problems created by plastic bottles and thirdly, building of skills to alleviate poverty through the recycling of plastic bottles. This project highlights the idea that successful management of waste has to do first with attitude change and love for the environment. This has to begin from the foundation level where children are taught waste management skills. This project emphasizes a system of education with a difference aimed at impacting leadership and entrepreneurial skills in the sector of waste management that will make our world a better place.