Green Heroes

Mathare Maji Mazuri Youth Group garbage project ‘Green Heroes’ has made a tremendous step in its mandate of cleaning the environment. In the recent past they have been able to clear the entire dumping site in Mathare Bondeni area as well as unblocking the sewers and road side trenches to pave way for stagnant water, which breeds mosquitoes and other pests.

The number of houses they distribute garbage bags to has also increased from 30 to 60 households. This has been possible because of the dedicated members who work around the clock to give these voluntary services to the community, the consistency in which they work and the discipline shown by the youths while conducting this exercise.

The Green Heroes carries out its activities on a weekly basis, i.e. on Saturdays from 10 am to 1 pm.

It involves 20 members of the youth group, 5 members from other youth groups and 5 community members. They all work every Saturday on a voluntary basis and Duara Foundation supports them with materials, equipment, lunch and refreshments.

The usual clean-ups have now become a fully fledged garbage project serving over 60 household every Saturday and clearing the drainage system and garbage heaps in the community.

The money earned by the project is still minimal, and the project cannot yet sustain itself at present, but plans are underway to make the project self-sustainable. The Green Heroes also sort out the garbage for any recyclable materials like plastics, metals, bottles e.t.c. to be sold to the scrap dealers. In future the project would like to purchase a plastic recycle plant to increase its income and service to the community. It also plans to expand to 500 houses in the near future.

The community embraced the idea of the project from day one and has since been very supportive and cooperative. They commend the work done by the youths. The group has created a good rapport between them and the community and that has helped to advertise the other projects in Maji Mazuri that could benefit them.

The project also educates the community on health issues and the necessity of living in a clean environment as well as supporting youth initiatives to help curb crime in the society. Since the exercise is done from door to door, project members have ample time with different people explaining to them the significance of our clean-up exercise thus also gaining skills of dealing with diverse cultures and views.