PROJECT BACKGROUND
In November 2007, with the help of CIDA/EYA interns Justin Sekiguchi and Sean McHugh, the Soweto Youth Group from Kibera distributed 25 disposable cameras to its members and took photographs of their community. The theme given to the photographers was "A day in the life of Kibera". The result was hundreds of stunning shots that were narrowed down to 14 pictures used for a calendar called "Welcome to Kibera". The calendar was distributed all around the world on a grass-roots project that saw sales in Canada, America, England, Australia and other countries. The calendar sold over 400 copies worldwide and the proceeds were used to begin the Soweto Youth Group Waste Management Centre.
Using the proceeds from the sales the group underwent waste management training at the Nairobi City Recyclers facilities in Jericho, Nairobi and also began construction of the waste management facilities.
In only 16 days, the group, with assistance of Kibera residents and international volunteers, was able to construct the facilities that are now being used as a waste transfer station in the Soweto East district of Kibera that will have an impact on hundreds if not thousands of Kibera residents.
The project's success has garnered a lot of attention from other local youth groups who have expressed interest in building their own centres.
The Up with Hope project is seeking to raise enough to build four more waste management centers in early 2009.
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CURRENT SITUATION
Based on the tremendous success of the first project with the Soweto Youth Group, EYA (Environmental Youth Alliance) is looking to expand the program to other districts of Kibera and slums in different parts of Nairobi. Word of the first project spread quickly and there are now over 30 similar groups that are looking to start up recycling centres in their respective neighbourhoods.
The total cost of the Soweto project (including training, labour and materials) was under CDN$4,500. The success of these projects relies entirely on sponsorships and donors. This is a one-time cost; once the facilities are built they are completely self-sustained through the income that is generated from the sales of the recycled materials. The only assistance required after construction is the technical assistance provided for the groups trying to run successful businesses.
If you would like to help a youth group build a waste management centre in their neighbourhood please click on "donate" for further instructions.
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