ASHENEWS reports that 100 unemployed women and youths in Kaduna state have been empowered to turn waste into furnitures, shoes and menstrual pads.
The programme which was conducted by Pearl Recycling and the US Embassy held for four weeks in Angwan Muazu in Kaduna.
The Kwatam Development Initiative trained the participants on how to sew their own menstrual sanitary pads using biodegradable materials.
The Chief Executive Officer of Kwatam Development Initiative, Doris Ekama said that since the discovery of reusable pads in 2017, she has personally experienced the benefits in terms of reduced plastic waste, lower expenses, and improved hygiene practices.
She said that she had made it her mission to teach women how to sew their own pads due to the high cost of disposable pads adding that the training is not only for personal use but also for sale at affordable prices.
“The use of reusable pads not only helps women save money but also contributes to mitigating climate change by reducing waste generation.
“As more women adopt this sustainable practice, the amount of waste produced will decrease significantly”, Ekama said.
The Creative Director and Founder of the Waste Museum, Jumoke Olowowe said she is collaborating with Pearl Recycling and the US Embassy in the empowerment programme.
Olowowe, known for transforming waste into functional products, taught the participants how to turn used tires into durable and affordable furniture pieces, as well as how to repurpose fabric waste from tailors’ shops.
According to Olowowe, the training program, which lasted for four weeks, had initially received over 905 applications, demonstrating the high demand for sustainable solutions.
She said that despite a slow start which has only 27 attendees on the first day, the numbers quickly increased, reaching 120 participants by the third day.
Looking back on the program, Olowowe expressed her satisfaction with the transformed lives of the participants stating that not only were they equipped with new skills, but they also formed support networks through WhatsApp groups.
She said that every participant would receive startup tools to help them kickstart their entrepreneurial journey stating that the Waste Museum and Pearl Recycling will continue to provide support and guidance to ensure that the participants thrive in their newfound ventures.
Christaina Idowu, one of the program’s beneficiaries, highlighted her newfound knowledge and ability to turn tires into functional furniture.
She expressed her gratitude for the opportunity and hoped that more people in Kaduna would have access to similar initiatives.
17-year-old participant, Abdulrahman Abdullahi shared his aspirations to become an entrepreneur and earn money as he stated that he found the training program invaluable.
He appreciated the guidance provided on both furniture-making and shoe design using tire materials.
As the training program concluded, many participants unveiled their own designs and began receiving orders for their products.
