Silverio Omari
In Nigeria’s most disadvantaged communities, securing funds for school fees can be a significant challenge. However, some parents are turning to an innovative solution: gathering plastic waste to fund their children’s education.
Fatimoh Adeosun, a litter picker, is dedicated to collecting plastic waste to ensure her son stays in school. She explains, “The reason I pick up plastic waste to fund my child’s education is that about three years ago, life was tough, and my son had to leave school. I found a menial job, and one day, I saw people collecting plastic. I approached the school and asked if I could do the same in exchange for my son’s school fees, and they agreed.”
This initiative is made possible by non-governmental organizations like My Dreamstead School, which have created a program where parents can exchange plastic waste for school fees, helping to close the education gap.
Isaac Success, from the Plastic Waste for School Fees initiative, notes, “Lagos generates over 800,000 metric tons of plastic waste annually. By having parents bring in their waste, they not only protect the environment but also secure their children’s futures through education.”
Thanks to such programs, My Dreamstead School has enabled hundreds of children to return to school and receive an education. As the saying goes, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” For Fatimoh Adeosun, it’s even more: “One man’s trash is another’s education.”
Dj Vnyash
