In a bid to empower women and the youth, Machakos County through the department of Gender, Youth, Sports and Social welfare, have partnered with Bamburi Cement to launch a sustainable pilot project that upcycles used cement bags into durable school bags.
This innovative project aims to instil and empower women and youths with practical skills that will guide them into entrepreneurship through environmental conservation of transforming waste material into valuable products.
The pilot project was unveiled at Kyemutheke Vocational Training Centre in Machakos town where 30 women and youths are to undergo intensive training on upcycling and value addition by Nairobi Recyclers that will equip them to improve their livelihoods.
Speaking during the Launch at Kyemutheke, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Gender, Youth Sports and Social welfare Sharon Mutua highlighted the importance of the sustainable project in promoting community welfare and environmental conservation and called for commitment from all stakeholders stating “There is no room for failure,” said Ms Mutua.
Lilian Njiru Bamburi’s corporate affairs manager noted that the project aligned with their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals in promoting a circular economy through recycling and using alternative materials while impacting communities positively through social and sustainable initiatives.
She disclosed plans to expand the upcycling projects to other towns and commended Machakos for boosting its local economy by fostering its growth through various investments and its strategic location since Bamburi cement is located in Athi River along Mombasa road
“Machakos is close to our heart that is why we have chosen to start here before expanding to other counties,” added Ms Njiru.
By Anne Kangero
