Ikhwan's project
My name is Ikhwan Omar. KL-Yes Alumni year 2013-2014 from Kenya. I was hosted in the state of Colorado. Living away from my country was an interesting and unforgettable experience which has had many impacts in my life. Living in a country like America where freedom and equality are practiced is not only my dream coming true but millions of people's dreams coming true. When arriving in America on the first day, not only did I have mistaken thoughts, but I also didn't know how life would be without freedom. My experience with freedom in America has allowed me to accomplish many goals, including organizing my life. Four goals I achieved were learning cycling, swimming, skiing, and being selected for the boys’ soccer team.
Exchange year made me WHOLE! This is where I found Me, I unlocked so much potential from talent to skills such as leadership, communication and so much more. The experience I received was tremendous and it’s what made me be the man I am today.
Lamu, a picturesque island nestled along the coast of Kenya, has long been celebrated for its pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant marine ecosystems. However, beneath this idyllic facade lies a pressing issue that threatens not only the island’s natural beauty but also its contribution to global environmental well-being. The mismanagement of waste in Lamu has given rise to a range of environmental problems, with severe consequences for the local community, marine life, and the broader climate.
Lamu, like many coastal regions, grapples with the challenges of waste management. The island’s natural beauty attracts both tourists and settlers, leading to a surge in population and, subsequently, increased waste generation. Historically, waste disposal practices on the island have been inadequate, with much of the trash ending up in open dumps or finding its way into the surrounding waters. This unregulated disposal of waste not only pollutes the island but also poses a significant threat to the marine ecosystem.
The grant project was a project that was mainly aimed at finding constructive solutions to this never-ending menace of waste in Lamu. Different goal-oriented minds have been in the front row to uphold waste management in Lamu but there has been no clear success. This project focused on 3 main areas of Mkomani ward in Lamu: Kipungani, Matondoni and Amu area. These areas were chosen due to their state and need for advancement.
Different strategies were formulated where members of the community would participate in a voluntary clean up activity where they would ensure the whole area is clean and later on engage them in a workshop where they will share ideas on how to better their conditions in matters of waste management.
The workshops were quite educational as members gained a lot of knowledge on waste management that would really impact on their lives to be in a better environment.
The target population for this project was 150 members of the community. Such members were chosen in a systematic format where everyone was considered including PWDs, so that the necessary knowledge could reach a wider audience. 50 members were selected from each of the 3 locations, and they were to act as ambassadors to those who wouldn’t be lucky to get selected. The target population also considered the roles of different community members who have been standing up for waste management practices in their life hence needed to get the recognition required.
The project was a fundamental course of action as the members of the community really looked forward to it and how it can change their lives.
After completion of the 3 phases of the project, we already started seeing the results as community members started adopting the different techniques, we advised them on. The education gained on waste management was something most members were not aware of. They just knew waste is harmful but had no idea how, why, and what the solutions to that are.
Feedback from the community was positive as they want to show that they have learnt and are ready to take the next steps to improve the environment.
My long-term hope for this project is that the knowledge passed to the community can really change their lives and start being more impactful in whatever they do. This project was a successful one hence such projects need to be done more and to also reach other areas of Lamu County that have not been reached.
This project taught me that teamwork, patience and resilience are part and parcel of success, I want to appreciate my team the YES alumni and volunteers from LOYD for being supportive and making sure that the project was a success. I therefore ask my fellow youths to focus on their community goals and be the change.
I want to thank the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, American council, AFS fraternity and LOYD for supporting me in this project.
