A group of women in Meru county have teamed up to educate needy children by venturing into waste recycling business.
Through a non -governmental organisation dubbed Beyond Poverty Africa Network, the team of about 40 women led by their chairlady Sarah Nkeeja, collect waste and take it to recycling companies. They then get various items in return which they sell and make money to support themselves and needy children.
The women lauded the leadership of the organisation for supporting and educating them on how to turn waste into money making business.
“When you empower a woman you empower the whole society. We are happy for Behold Poverty Africa Network for the support and we can now educate our grandchildren and other needy children. We call on more women to join us so that we transform our society. There is a lot of waste surrounding us and we can make it useful,” said Nkeeja.
Speaking to The voice daily, the CEO of the NGO Dominic Muriuki said in Meru county alone, the organisation is currently supporting 76 needy children to acquire education.
The program mainly focuses on empowering women in the society and has yielded fruits by making them self reliance and uplifting their living standards, he added.
While donating food stuff to a section of the women christened ‘Ladies of Hope’ at Chugu in North Imenti, the CEO said they have transformed many families through waste recycling and adaptive agriculture.
“We have trained and we are continuing to educate our women on how to collect waste papers, plastic and metal waste which they sell to companies. In return they get tissue papers, sanitary towels, water pipes and farming tools among others. Out of this venture, together we support needy children to go to school,” said Muriuki.
Accompanied by other directors, Benjamin Gitonga and Marshall Kinoti, the CEO said they have also opened centers in Tharaka Nithi,Kilifi,Kwale and Mombasa counties.
“We are targeting to open more centers across the country because our focus is to fight poverty by using locally available waste materials and transforming them into money and useful products,” added Gitonga.
They at the same time noted they target most vulnerable families and arid regions in a bid to help needy children get food and education.
While calling on well wishers and other partners to support the women, Muriuki noted that they have so far partnered with some organisations like KCB Foundation and Lottery Club among others in an effort to eradicate poverty and take care of the environment.
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