November 11, 2017

Quote of the Week

"Never doubt that one person can make a difference." --Ingrid Newkirk

Recycling Trash Into An Income

This week's featured article shares the incredible story of one woman who made a huge difference to the environment and to the empowerment of women in her community. Isatou Ceesay is hailed as the "Queen of plastic recycling" in the Gambia and has educated women on how to recycle plastic waste into revenue for themselves, helping the environment and strengthening women's financial independence.

In this video narrated by Ceesay, which highlights her inspiring work, she shares, "In order to love the environment, you must first love yourself. This is our responsibility to ensure that future generations do not ever live what we have been through. If we prepare children to become better leaders, and women to play an important part alongside men, then we will be able to mitigate climate change, while living and working in better conditions, and contributing to the development of our society. Everything is linked together. If we understand that, then we are on the right path."

Reading Corner

Title: One Plastic Bag: Isatou Ceesay and the Recycling Women of the Gambia
By: Miranda Paul
Ages: 5 and up

"Plastic bags are cheap and easy to use. But what happens when a bag breaks or is no longer needed? In Njau, Gambia, people simply dropped the bags and went on their way. One plastic bag became two. Then ten. Then a hundred. The bags accumulated in ugly heaps alongside roads. Water pooled in them, bringing mosquitoes and disease. Some bags were burned, leaving behind a terrible smell. Some were buried, but they strangled gardens. They killed livestock that tried to eat them. Something had to change. Isatou Ceesay was that change. She found a way to recycle the bags and transform her community. This inspirational true story shows how one person's actions really can make a difference in our world."  --Publisher

Be the Change

Come up with creative ideas for recycling old, worn items into something useful. Here is one simple craft activity to make a jump rope out of a plastic bag --  try it out with your kids!  Together brainstorm ideas for something your family can do regularly to make a difference in your community.