Mazingira Plus

Mazingira Plus (NGO) is a non-profit and youth-led organisation that uses core creation approaches to address the most pressing global challenges at the grassroots level. We have designed programs that align with our mission and vision. Among our flagship programs are Zero Waste Schools, where we work with students aged 7 to 17 on waste sorting and transformation in a school setting. This is one of the innovative and transformative programs that has impacted 5 schools so far, with a total of 2500 students on waste sorting and 5R's strategy to solve the problem of school waste mismanagement. Moreover, we trained students on zero-waste approaches and organic waste composting techniques in the school compound and regenerative farming. Secondly, through our Dar es Salaam Inclusive Climate Action (ICA), we impacted the lives of 250 informal waste workers in informal settlements and unplanned areas of Dar es Salaam by providing safe gears, facilities, tools, and CBO formulations. This program cuts across inclusion and equity aspects, as we believe no one should be left behind. Now, waste pickers and informal waste workers have their leaders and are recognized by city officials. Our third program is mangrove restoration and conservation as a nature-based solution towards climate change impacts in low-income communities of the southeast of Dar es Salaam. We have raised more than 12,000 seedlings of mangroves and planted more than 150,000 mangroves to restore affected lands. Within our scope, we have developed livelihood projects to help youth and women, such as beekeeping, regenerative farming, and sustainable fishing. Moreover, we have plastic pollution controls through community and beach cleanups. Through this program, we use the E-strategy "Engage, Educate, and Empower" coastal communities to leverage initiatives that advocate for plastic controls alongside coastal stretches. We are guided by the Waste Audit and Brand Assessment (WABA) toolkit to inform and put pressure on the government on single-use plastic and find long-lasting changes. Most of our work is based on collaboration and partnership (global south-north) with various stakeholders, from the national level to the international communities. Since our slogan is connected with nature, we are striving to create an intergenerational program that will dismantle old systems that proved total failures. Through this, we believe the coming generation will wake up and demand system change for a better and safer future for all nature and humans.