In Nigeria’s most disadvantaged communities, funding school fees can be a major challenge. For some families, collecting plastic waste has become an innovative solution to ensure their children’s education.
Fatimoh Adeosun, a waste picker, has committed to collecting as much plastic waste as possible to fund her son’s education. She says: “About three years ago, life was difficult and my son had to leave school. I found a small job. One day, I saw people collecting plastic, I approached the school and asked if I could collect it to pay for my son’s school fees, and I was given the go-ahead.”
Non-governmental organisations such as My Dreamstead School have set up initiatives to bridge the education gap by accepting plastic as payment for school fees. Isaac Success, who initiated the “Plastic waste for school fees” initiative, points out that “Lagos produces over 800,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually. By encouraging these parents to bring their waste, they are not only protecting the environment but also ensuring the future of their children through education.”
My Dreamstead School reports that the opportunity to pay school fees with plastic waste has enabled hundreds of children to return to school and access basic education. Thus, the saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” takes on its full meaning. For Adeosun, “one man’s trash is another man’s education.”
This ingenious initiative demonstrates the creativity and determination of parents to provide their children with educational opportunities despite the financial challenges they face. It also highlights the importance of environmental awareness and recycling waste for the well-being of future generations.