British international waste charity WasteAid has been awarded a government grant worth up to £50,000 for a project to set up a recycling centre in Kenya.
The charity – which was set up by British waste management professionals to “spread recycling skills around the world” – says the project will collect waste and turn it into useful products which can be sold to generate an income.
Children playing by a dump site in Kwa-Muhia, around 60 miles North-West of Kenya’s capital city Nairobi
The funding comes as part of the UK Aid Direct fund, which is run by the Department for International Development (DFID).
WasteAid has been awarded the grant through the DFID’s Small Charities Challenge Fund (SCCF), the department’s centrally managed fund for small UK based not-for-profit organisations.
The centre will be built in Kwa-Muhia, around 60 miles North-West of Kenya’s capital city Nairobi. The town has a population of around 6,000 and WasteAid says sickness is “rife”, in part due to poor waste management.
Many of the residents of Kwa-Muhia work on nearby flower farms producing cut flowers sold in UK supermarkets. WasteAid explained that it is working with the Kwa-Muhia Environmental Group (KMEG), a community group in the informal settlement of Kwa-Muhia. KMEG has a “well-established” network of stakeholders and supporters in the local area.
Project
Duncan Oloo, KMEG project manager, said: “Waste is a serious problem in Kenya. Thanks to the funding from UK Aid Direct, and support from WasteAid, the KMEG will be able to clean up our informal settlement and convert waste into wealth.
“This project will improve public health in the village by reducing diseases spread by uncollected rubbish, especially among young children who play on the waste dumps.
A man clearing waste from a drain
“This UK Aid-funded project will also stop waste from Kwa-Muhia polluting Lake Naivasha which is an internationally important wetland site. Overall the project is good for people, good for the environment, and makes good economic sense too.”
The partnership between WasteAid and the KMEG began in February 2016, and has so far led to 12 people being trained in how to deal with waste, and also saw an action plan drawn up to improve waste practices in the area.
Jill Matthews, WasteAid project manager, said: “We are really excited to be bringing UK Aid support to the shores of Lake Naivasha. A simple waste management service can have a significant positive impact on people’s lives. We will be working with our partners KMEG to introduce simple and affordable waste management and recycling skills, creating jobs and cleaning the environment for current and future generations.
“We hope to develop a low-cost model for other settlements in Kenya and elsewhere to follow. We will be posting regular updates demonstrating how we are turning waste into wealth, using simple and affordable techniques.”
The Small charities fund has also been split with more than 20 other causes, who will all receive up to £50,000.
Related Links
WasteAid
The post UK aid to fund Kenya recycling centre project appeared first on letsrecycle.com.
Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
