Since the birth of the ‘From Waste to Gain Initiative’ in 2022, Melody Ogbogu, the visionary lead, has demonstrated remarkable enthusiasm and dedication in helping communities establish proper waste disposal methods in a bid to eliminate malaria and target environmental cleanliness. The initiative over one year has strategically sensitized young minds to join in activities that target sanitation as a sustainable approach in mitigating the effect of climate change. Also, the Initiative has been able to expand its vision by incorporating conventional methods of up-cycling wastes, especially plastic waste into bricks, ornaments, and wool for knitting. So far, donations and revenues have been acquired through campaigns organized by Melody and her team members and the sale of the bricks in targeting SDG 2—zero hunger.
Melody Ogbogu attributes the successes of the Initiative to the corporate contributions of volunteers, families, team members, donors, and other climate innovators across Africa. Her collaboration with the Sustainable Development Forum, founded by Chibundu Chinelo has strengthened From Waste to Gain Initiative in organizing outreach to secondary schools and amassing inspired individuals to participate in community building and leadership.
Themes surrounding the ‘From Waste to Gain Initiative’ founded by Melody cover SDGs 2, 3, and 13 which are Zero hunger, Good health and well-being, and Climate Action. This theme stimulated the Initiative motto which is “Zero Waste, No Malaria, and Zero Hunger”.
The impact of this Initiative is recognized in the enforcement of a monthly community clean-up by the community leader, improving environmental cleanliness in slums and underprivileged communities, reducing the spread of Malaria, and donating writing materials to public school students.
Looking ahead, Melody Ogbogu aims to empower and train other younger climate innovators to develop sustainable measures in addressing waste problems in their communities and participate in mitigating the effects of climate change. Also, she aims to further her education in conservation policies and law to equip her with the necessary skills and expertise in developing national and sub-national frameworks that support sustainable development.
Melody Ogbogu recently caught the attention of Vanguard when she and her team conducted an outreach to secondary schools in a new community, Ihiagwa which has been plagued with floods and improper discarding of waste. She delivered a talk session on climate change, hygiene, and methods of proper waste channeling and utilization by students, and then she distributed some emergency sanitary pads to 100 female students and writing materials to other students. The execution of her ideas in a new community spotlighted her Initiative, earning her an award of excellence for her contribution to community service and sustainable health by the Principal of Ihiagwa Secondary School, Owerri.
As the From Waste to Gain Initiative continues to achieve its goals and evolves, it continues to remain committed to sustainable growth and innovations, igniting passion in the younger generation and changing the negative narrative surrounding rural communities in Nigeria and Africa. We applaud From Waste to Gain Initiative to continuously recruit passionate innovators, that way, there will be hope for a cleaner society and the transformation of rural communities into bastions of sustainable development.
