School children have repurposed 500 plastic bottles in a bid to make the environment safer for the donkeys their communities rely on.
Members of Brooke’s Donkey Care Clubs have been doing their bit to reduce plastic pollution this World Environmental Health Day (26 September).
Children at a Nairobi school in Kenya used their creative skills to transform the bottles into stationery and ornaments, as well as an irrigation system to support water sustainability.
“Our learners are not just reusing, they are learning creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration to support donkeys and the people who depend on them,” said Faith, the club patron.
Brooke’s Donkey Care Clubs teach Kenyan children how to look after donkeys. The equines are often a lifeline to their families as they help them to earn an income, carrying goods as well as fetching water.
“I love turning trash into something beautiful,” said Alex, a Donkey Care Club pupil. “My parents now help me collect bottles at home and I use them to make beautiful wristbands.”
Another pupil added that their creations remind them to care for the environment every day.
Without proper disposal, bottles mount up in compounds, roadside markets and grazing fields. Donkeys sometimes swallow bottles and other plastics, leading to serious health issues like colic.
The open burning of plastics also pollutes the air, endangering both people and animals.
Thanks to the pupils’ creations, hundreds of plastic bottles have been prevented from ending up in dumpsites and grazing fields, reducing risks to donkeys and livestock. The school playground has also been transformed into a cleaner and more inspiring space.
