By Lewis S. Teh
Community-based Progress Youth for Sustainable Development Inc. (PROYSUDE) takes awareness campaigns to various communities in Bong Mines Bridge, Bushrod Island on plastic waste, sanitation, and hygiene, among others to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Executive director Calvin Jallah says the primary focus is in the WASH sector specifically, water, hygiene, and sanitation, adding that the organization also has other thematic areas, including advocacy for electoral reforms, accountability, and providing young people with test skills for employment opportunities.
He notes the awareness on plastic waste is to educate residents that plastic of any kind can be recycled and also to conduct a survey about the way of life of residents in slum communities, who face issues such as lack of safe drinking water and other basic social services.
“Our message we preaching today is that plastic can be recycled, and turn into many good things that people can use, so there’s a need for them to stop the proliferation of plastic”, he cautions.
He says the campaign aims to ensure the provision of basic social services to underserved communities, including schools, clinics, and access to clean drinking water to promote sustainable livelihood.
Also speaking at the start of the awareness recently, a representative from a local business entity, Lipfoco Mattress Factory Degosom K. Siafa, extolled PROYSUDE for the initiative and promised to work with the group for the betterment of the community and the country at large.
“We are excited to see young people taking up their time coming together with such unity and embarking on this exercise; we stand with you in whatever way we can help you achieve the goals”, Mr. Siafa pledged.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]
According to him, the mattress factory has been very instrumental in supporting community-based organizations, noting that every year the company provides financial support to clean drainages.
He continues the support to PROYSUDE is in response to appeal for financial assistance to embark on its awareness efforts in the district
“We support this group because the environment belongs to everyone and in order to have a good healthy life, we must clean our environment.”
Meanwhile, a resident of the community Ms. Jenneh Brown lauds the organization for coming up with such awareness, adding the campaign will educate residents about the usage of plastic and the maintenance of the community.
“I thank God for them; this is a good initiative that they have embarked upon, we urge them to continue it, because government alone can’t do everything”, says Ms. Brown.
PROYSUDE is a legally registered group founded in 2014 with the vision to provide education and advocacy on the significance of clean water, hygiene, and sanitation. Editing by Jonathan Browne
