It was an exciting moment for Pendeza Shelters working with Jangu International in organising the Eco Advocacy Event that took place on 4/4/2024. The main purpose was to educate the community and making awareness about the poor plastic disposal due to improper plastic waste management systems leading to clogging of drainage channels, and community flooding exposing people to health risks and effecting the soils, land, animals, and the atmosphere leaving the environment in absolute danger. Different institutions joined the campaign like the primary schools, secondary schools, universities, the local government and the community to have representative at each level creating environmental conscious ambassadors. Different organisation joined were the, EcoBrix, NIAAD, GAYO Uganda, Young Catholic Workers Movement and Biodiversity Conservation Fund and the Office of the District Natural Resources. Involvement of the communityDifferent individuals in the community were involved in respect of their age groups since it was a collective responsibility of everyone to save Mother Earth. The groups involved are the primary schools (upper primary) children aged 8-12, secondary schools aged 13-18, institutions and Universities that constitute youth aged between 18-35, and residents in the community 35 and above.

In rural areas, women are turning polyethylene bags into (craft-making) shopping bags to support themselves financially. They often rely on their husbands, and unable to meet their families’ needs alone, these women seek additional income opportunities. Skill-building programs aim to empower them, enhancing their livelihoods and providing supplementary income for their families, thus improving their quality of life and fostering greater self-sufficiency among women and young girls in these communities. It takes approximately two weeks for a woman to master the weaving technique for crafting these bags, which is relatively easy to learn. The materials used are sourced from the community and some are obtained from business individuals who import bundles of textiles from the international market. These bags are primarily made from a material known as carryons, which is plastic and takes over 100 years to biodegrade. Currently, this skill employs over 35 women who sell their products on demand in both local and international markets. Each bag often comes with its own unique story, which many customers find intriguing. Prices vary based on the narrative behind each woman’s craftsmanship.