The Mayor of the Freetown City Council, Her Worship Aki-Sawyerr has launched the Waste Collection Management Association together with the H.E Manuel Muller, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Sierra Leone.
In 2019, FCC started the “Solid Waste Management through Micro-enterprises” with funding from the European Union. 60 tricycles and other equipment (wheelbarrows, uniforms etc) were were purchased and 600 youth were trained to become waste collectors. An osusu scheme was created to help them save funds to cover maintenance cost for the tricycles. Over the past three years, the model was replicated with funding from IOM (20 youth groups) and MMC (40 youth groups). They now serve over 50,000 households, a significant increase from the 3,000 households that were being served in June 2018.
These young people totaling over 1,000 have organized themselves to ensure that their businesses grow as they contribute to the cleanliness of our city.
The Chairman of the Waste Collection Management Association Abubakarr Sesay gave an inspiring statement that highlighted the impact on the individual lives of the young people now working in the tricycles groups. Statements included stories of personal growth, business growth and young people pursuing educational qualifications including university degrees!
We are so pleased to see the growth and sustainability of this critical component of our Integrated Waste Management Value Chain.
