YCAP River Clean-up Project: Creating Lasting Impact for a Lusikisiki Community
At Empowervate, we believe in the power of youth to drive positive, sustainable change in their communities. A secondary school in Bukazi village, Lusikisiki’s YCAP team exemplified this through their 2023 River Clean-up Project, which not only addressed environmental concerns but also made a significant impact on the well-being of their community.
Project Overview
The project began at Bukazi Secondary School, where the students organised a series of clean-up days. With their efforts to restore the river making a positive impact, the initiative was then transferred to Toli Secondary School, expanding its reach to benefit even more people in the surrounding areas.
The students organised a series of clean-up days where they worked alongside community members to clear the bushes, clean the river, and build a tap-like structure to improve access to clean water. They also erected a fence around the river to prevent future pollution. Throughout the project, the team hosted awareness events to educate the community on the importance of protecting their natural resources.
Impact and Outcomes
The immediate outcome of the project was a dramatic improvement in the quality of the river, making it safer for the community to use. The community of Bukazi, including those from afar who rely on the river for water, benefited from the team’s efforts.
Beyond the environmental impact, the project fostered a spirit of Ubuntu—bringing together students, parents, teachers, and community leaders to work toward a common goal. This sense of unity not only strengthened social cohesion but also empowered participants to believe in their ability to effect change.
Key Lessons Learned
The YCAP team learned that no task is impossible when the community comes together. They faced several challenges, from poor meeting attendance to technical issues like network coverage and power outages. Yet, through teamwork and perseverance, they succeeded in making a lasting difference.
Sustainability and Long-term Impact
One of the most significant takeaways from this project is its sustainability. The fencing and clean-up efforts have ensured that the river remains protected from further pollution, and the community’s increased awareness means ongoing maintenance of the river’s condition. The project has now been moved to Toli Secondary School to be sustained.
This project demonstrated how small actions can lead to significant changes that improve the quality of life for an entire community.
Partner with Us
Empowervate and YCAP continue to work toward empowering youth to tackle the challenges in their communities. We invite you to partner with us to ensure that more young people can make a lasting impact, just like the Bukazi YCAP team.
To learn more about this impactful project and how you can support our ongoing efforts, contact us at info@empowervate.org and visit our Social Media pages, @Empoervate and keep an eye out for more blog posts in the Impact Series.
Together, we can continue to empower the next generation and make a real difference in the lives of our youth.
#YCAPImpact #WorldRiversDay #YouthForChange #SocialCohesion #CleanWaterForAll #SustainableDevelopment #Empowervate #UbuntuInAction #PartnerWithUs
