Country of Residence
Nigeria
Age
20
Project title
A Breathable Earth ( Building Cleaner Communities Through Sustainable Waste Management).
Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence
A Breathable Earth is a initiative that is aimed at reducing waste pollution, tackling environmental pollution and encourages sustainable waste management through Health Education, Environmental Education, Community involvement and implementation of sustainable practices.
Website URL(s) or social media handles.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-kasali-a3b641443
Project Category
My project is a brand new / emerging idea
Project Stage
Idea (We’re hoping to get started in the future)
Founding Story: What was the spark that led you to start your project? What was the "Aha!" moment that led you to get started and see the potential for this to succeed?
As a student of Lagos State University (LASU) and a resident of Lagos State, the improper waste disposal and environmental pollution in our communities has worsened and become more concerning. On my daily journey to school, I always encounter areas polluted by accumulated waste and unpleasant odours, particularly around the outskirts of LASU. One area that especially concerns me is Iyana iba market as wastes accumulates around the market and its surroundings. My concern grew stronger when I participated in a survey with my Rotaract project group at the Market. Through conversations with the traders, market women, and LAWMA personnel, I learnt that the problem goes beyond people’s disposal habits. Inadequate waste disposal facilities, not enough cleaning personnel and blocked drainage also contribute to the problem . Having also participated in World Cleanup Day with Campus Recycling Champions of LASU, I have seen the importance of collective action in addressing environmental pollution. As a Health Education student, I understand the connection between environmental conditions and health. I believe change has to happen, and it has to start with someone. This inspired my idea for A Breathable Earth, as I hope to promote sustainable waste management, encourage community participation, and contribute to creating cleaner, healthier communities.
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?
Through A Breathable Earth project I hope to solve the following problems in the selected areas : poor waste disposal, Environmental pollution, inadequate waste disposal facilities, insufficient waste collection method, as well as the problem blocked drainages.
Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.
A Breathable Earth project aims to implement the following solutions: 1. Communicating with the community stakeholders to provide them with necessary information on my own end, create awareness, educate them and to seek advises and support needed from them. 2. Providing awareness and education for community members and ensuring their involvement and optimum participation towards achieving a better living and trading condition for themselves. 3. Reaching out to necessary agencies that share similar vision for assistance, support and resources needed to implement a sustainable environmental initiative. 4. Carrying out occasional cleanup and waste sorting activities in the selected areas. Volunteers (LASU students )will also be mobilized so as to ensure an effective work is done. 5.Ensuring that gathered wastes are effective collected for proper disposal. This will involve reaching out to the appropriate agencies in charge of waste collection. 6. Seeking for funding for the provision of adequate waste disposal facilities in the community.
Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?
My goal is to Channel the initiative towards the affected community around Iyana Oba. I hope to engage residents, traders, students, and volunteers in identifying waste management challenges and developing practical ways to address them. The expected impact of my project includes improved awareness of responsible waste disposal trough proper health education, increased community participation and involvement towards a better living and trading condition, and effective effort of the waste management stakeholders.
Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?
Over my years as a student, I have seen and heard of cleanup activities being carried out, particularly in Iyana Iba Market, but a sustainable solution has not yet been achieved. Personally, I also participated in a cleanup on World Cleanup Day with the Campus Recycling Champions Association of LASU, and its target was still Iyana Iba Market. It wasn’t surprising that just a few days after the cleanup, the market and its environment were back to their dirty and polluted state. My take is that, with an adequate awareness program tailored to the community, and by encouraging community participation and involvement, a lasting and sustainable change can be achieved.
How many people are on your team?
1
Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?
I am currently developing the project independently and plan to build a small team as the initiative progresses. My team members will include my colleagues and individuals with interests and concern for environmental sustainability.
What’s Next: What are the next steps you plan to take to grow or strengthen your project over the next year? If your project is still in the idea stage, describe the steps you will take over the next three months to launch or begin developing it.
Moving forward, I will focus on developing A Breathable Earth into a realistic and sustainable initiative. I will begin by sharing the concept with like minded individuals and building my team. Together, we will review the findings from Iyana Iba Market, identify priority areas, and refine our approach based on what the community needs. We will then create an action plan outlining our objectives, activities, required resources, and potential sources of funding. I also intend to identify organizations, community leaders, and relevant agencies that could support the initiative. This preparation will help us establish a foundation for the project before implementation and ensure that our first activities are properly organized and achievable.
How do you encourage other people to join your project or learn about the problem you’re working on? If you have a new idea, tell us how you will do this in the future.
As an Ambassador of the LASU SDG Youth Club, I will also connect with other ambassadors who share my interest in environmental sustainability and encourage them to support the initiative. Through my involvement in student and volunteer activities, I have seen the impact of teamwork and collective action. I hope to use these networks to promote environmental responsibility, attract volunteers, and encourage more people to contribute to cleaner, healthier communities.
