Published on Changemakers (https://www.changemakers.

com)

Home > Verdant

Verdant: Cleaning Cameroon, one city at a time

Buea, CameroonBuea, Cameroon
Tina Yong

Year Founded:
2015
Organization type:
nonprofit/ngo/citizen sector
Project Stage:
Idea
Budget:
$10,000 - $50,000

Income generation
Social enterprise

Project Summary
Elevator Pitch

Concise Summary: Help us pitch this solution! Provide an explanation within 3-4 short sentences.

Verdant will contribute positively towards climate change through proper waste collection and disposal. Aim is to have zero litter in our schools,
colleges, universities, student residential areas, starting with Buea community and subsequently expanding to other regions of Cameroon.

WHAT IF - Inspiration: Write one sentence that describes a way that your project dares to ask, "WHAT IF?"

What if we could impact our environment positively by having zero litter in our schools, residences and cities through waste collection, proper
disposal and recycling waste to power homes, and make manure for our farms?

About Project

Problem: What problem is this project trying to address?

Inappropriate waste disposal, pollution and recycling of waste. Insufficient waste disposal systems installed in the communities. The existing
service offered by Hysacam in association with the Buea rural council mainly collects waste along main streets and does not reach areas like
schools, colleges, and densely populated communities Waste collected is dumped off without treatment thereby increasing danger to
communities around disposal areas

Solution: What is the proposed solution? Please be specific!

Collection points for waste will be set up in schools, colleges, universities, hospitals and densely populated areas of the community. Initially,
volunteers will be used to go into communities and sensitise through word of mouth, banners, and flyers on how important waste disposal is to
our hygiene, health and environment Waste collection points will be set up with different collection bins for different types of waste – plastic,
paper/pulp and wood, household/food waste, non-biodegradable waste. Waste collected at these points will be transported on a daily basis to
Hysacam waste collection points using wheelbarrows – so as to avoid overspill of waste and further pollution around the waste collection
points.

Impact: How does it Work

Example: Walk us through a specific example(s) of how this solution makes a difference; include its primary activities.

Aaron is a nine year old boy who lives in the suburbs. Everyone in the suburb dumps waste by Aaron's house. He took ill and was taken to the
hospital; the doctor said it's because of pollution in the environment he lived in. When Verdant learnt of this, they cleaned the surroundings of
Aaron's house and set up waste collection points in the area and emptied the cans daily. Due to this, not only was Aaron healthier but his
community was clean. So too will our neighbourhoods, schools, hospitals, city and country. Aaron and other children can play without any danger

1
 of contracting diseases, water bodies will not be polluted through inappropriate waste disposal, and environment will be cleaner and safer

Impact: What is the impact of the work to date? Also describe the projected future impact for the coming years.

The project is still in the ideas phase. I have always wanted to make a visible impact on my society. There is a knowledge and information gap on
environmental degradation and climate change awareness and how our everyday activities contribute to these. Making the community aware that
little things such as appropriate waste disposal could contribute in saving the planet, alternative use of waste material could be beneficial to the
local communities and lead to healthier environment as a whole. A clean city will certainly attract new residents and business thus improving
livelihoods. In the long run, Verdant will seek to employ innovative solutions to convert/transform the waste into energy sources such as cooking
gas and into fertilizer to reduce implant of chemical fertilizers being used

Spread Strategies: Moving forward, what are the main strategies for scaling impact?

Partnership with Buea Council and Hysacam At the start - Setup collection points in schools, colleges, hospitals, and residential areas - Waste
collected will be transported on a daily basis to Hysacam collection points using wheel barrows Going forward; - Partnerships will be signed with
recycling companies to sell solid waste that can be transformed such as paper, plastics and other petroleum based products - Expertise will be
sort to transform other waste into: Energy sources – cooking gas which will be sold back to the citizens; Natural fertilisers, which can be used for
horticulture

Sustainability

Financial Sustainability Plan: What is this solution’s plan to ensure financial sustainability?

Initially, seek partnership with donor companies and organisations mainly: Buea Council to seek funding and designate collection points and
Hysacam to help transport waste to dumping/treatment areas In the long run, waste will be segregated and sold to recycling companies. We will
develop competence to transform household waste into cooking gas and manure which will be sold at cost-plus margin and be ploughed back into
the business.

Marketplace: Who else is addressing the problem outlined here? How does the proposed project differ from these
approaches?

Hysacam and local councils mainly are currently addressing the issue; few recycling too. These are insufficient based on the growing population
and increasing urbanisation rates in Cameroon. Water bodies are getting smaller and are polluted with household wastes. There is need for more
organisations to help sensitise and clean the waste currently being disposed of. Besides, there are enormous income generation capacities these
can provide and these will be exploited as we gain grounds and popularity in the communities. We hope to target bigger companies like Averda as
strategic partners

Team

Founding Story

I am passionate about keeping the environment clean and saving the planet. Trees are being cut at a faster rate than are planted. When I visited
the US and saw how clean neighbourhoods are, I thought we could do same if we had the will and push to be clean. I believe our contribution to
saving the planet is to keep the environment clean. Absence of plastics and other solid waste in our schools, residencies and city will reduce rate
of soil pollution. Promoting a greener city will attract more residents to the city which will generate economic opportunities. Above all, transforming
the organisation into a business venture will employee citizens and contribute to emergence

Team

Yong Nain Tina: Founder Final year student at Catholic University Institute of Buea, majoring in Accountancy; Social entrepreneur and passionate
about saving the planet and keeping our cities clean Ganseh Sama Eric - Adviser, Funder Social entrepreneur, experienced Finance expert. CFO,
West & Central Africa and Vodacom Business Africa Co-founder, AEG & Partners llc and Emerald Group Cameroon Ltd Trustee and Chair of the
Board of Vision in Action Cameroon Trustee of Research Centre for Environmental and Sustainable Development Fonge Peter Temate: Adviser
Founder of Vision in Action Cameroon (www.viafcam.org) His breath of experience has seen him travel across many countries in Africa and
beyond. His diversity and dedication will be vital at the initial phases of the project. Buea City Council (potential funding partner and adviser)
Hygene et Salubrite du Cameroun Sarl (HYSACAM) - a waste disposal company currently operating in Buea. They have a fleet of trucks and waste
disposal bins. They will be a strategic partner to the project. More partners are still being identified as mentors, advisers and funding partners

Source URL: https://www.changemakers.com/uconn-susi-student-leaders-social-entrepreneurship-2015/entries/verdant