Let me take you on a journey – not one of the glossy success stories, but a real, gritty ride through the heart of our green initiative, Mila. Mombasa is where the waves meet the shore, and dreams of sustainability sprout.
Our tale kicks off with a plot twist as exciting as the first sprout breaking through the soil – the coveted Seed Prize from The Iris Project. Picture the elation, the high-fives, and a collective “we can do this” echoing in the air. The Seed Prize wasn’t just funds but the water to our parched environmental aspirations.
The Humble Beginnings: My Green Dream
It began with hope – a hope of transformation, culture and community in the heart of Mombasa. I’m Nusra Juriah, and Mila is more than just a project for me; it’s a labor of love and commitment. A love letter to Mother Nature. As we set sail, the challenges begin to unveil themselves.
I grew up listening to stories of what Mombasa once was – a haven of rich biodiversity and a cultural tapestry woven with threads of shared appreciation of nature. It had to be more than just a reminisce of what was.
Now, against the backdrop of a city that held both the promise of a sustainable future and the scars of environmental neglect. It wasn’t easy for me as a young woman in Mombasa with aspirations of change from misconceptions, predatory situations and lack of trust in the youth. Fortunately, I had met incredible changemakers and aspirators with whom we shared a collective mission, the need for change, now and together!
As youth, we recognized that true transformation couldn’t happen in isolation. It required a cultural shift, a collective ethos of shared conservation that would seep into the daily lives of Mombasa’s residents.
When I was awarded the Seed Prize, I felt a surge of excitement and determination. However, our path was not without obstacles. As we rolled up our sleeves to construct our pilot facility, Mother Nature unleashed her fury. Torrential rains and the looming spectre of climate change wreaked havoc on our construction efforts, testing our resolve and resourcefulness. Yet, undeterred by adversity, we persevered, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and adaptation.
Understanding Project Mila’s Circular Economy Initiative
Project Mila is a remarkable initiative that aims to create a sustainable waste management system using black soldier fly larvae. By collecting organic waste from the local community and feeding it to the larvae, we are able to convert it into valuable resources such as protein feed and nutrient-rich fertilizer. This initiative promotes a circular economy by maximizing the use of organic waste and minimizing the pressure on the natural ecosystem in Mombasa.
At the core of the project is a powerful ethos of interconnectedness and unity, embodied by the Swahili word “Mila.” The mission of Project Mila is to revitalize our relationship with the environment, uplift communities, and foster a culture that harmonizes with nature. Through sustainable waste management and agricultural practices, we envision a future where biodiversity is supported and resources are used efficiently.
Nurturing Sustainable Communities through Education
Amidst our efforts, we encountered a myriad of reactions from the community – ranging from curiosity to scepticism. Some wondered why we were interested in their waste, while others harbored misconceptions that our endeavors were steeped in witchcraft. However, with patience and humor, we addressed these misunderstandings, using education as a powerful tool to foster understanding and acceptance.
Education plays a vital role in driving sustainable initiatives, and Project Mila understands this well. As a youth-led organization, Project Mila recognizes the importance of nurturing a generation of change-makers in Mombasa. To achieve this, the team plans to have workshops with the local community on environmental conservation and create storybooks for children that educate them about nature, biodiversity, and the importance of waste management. By instilling these values at a young age, we hope to inspire a greater understanding and appreciation of the environment.
We are currently working with Pwani Junior Academy for a pilot kids’ environmental conservation initiative. Through targeted awareness campaigns and outreach initiatives, we aspire to empower our community with knowledge – enlightening them on the importance of waste management, climate action, and the interconnectedness of our actions with the health of our planet.
We hope once the eco-garden is made from waste blossoms, we can invite the local community for a view of how it all goes hand in hand.
From Waste to Building Lives
“It’s amazing and encouraging to see our youth doing something to make their lives better and our community as a whole. I prefer seeing them involved in such initiatives instead of getting into shadowy paths. And thank you for making my work easier and the place of business clean.” concluded Baba Chris, a chips and viazi ( fried potatoes) vendor, one of our collection partners in Kadzandani ward, Nyali constituency, Mombasa.
Since December 2023, Project Mila has made remarkable strides, collecting over 400 kg of organic waste – transforming what was once perceived as refuse into a valuable resource for our community and engaging 30 youth in the community for an awareness workshop and creating short term employment for the local community ranging across different skills to actualize the facility.
Through innovative solutions such as black soldier fly larvae rearing, agricultural empowerment for Mombasa, misconceptualized as a non-agricultural region, and more such as briquettes made from frass, we are pioneering a new era of sustainability – harnessing nature’s power to create a greener, cleaner future for generations to come.
Looking Ahead
As we chart our course forward, we remain steadfast in our commitment to environmental impact and community empowerment. With each passing day, Project Mila grows stronger, fueled by the passion and dedication of our team and the unwavering support of our partners and stakeholders. Together, we stand at the forefront of change, driving forward with purpose and conviction, as stewards of our planet and champions of a brighter tomorrow.
It is a testament to the power of youth, innovation, and collective action in shaping a sustainable future. As we continue to tread the path less travelled, let us forge ahead with courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to leave a lasting legacy.
This is our story; this is Project Mila.
