In the lake, an attraction that makes Hawassa one of the main tourist centers of Ethiopia, plastic accumulates. In this context, our intervention can be really effective in making the city a virtuous example of commitment to environmental care.
Here is the testimony of Paola Galassi and Francesca Longo, our Social and Community Theatre operators engaged in Hawassa, Ethiopia, within the #100%plastic project of the Turin-based NGO Cifa Onlus. What is it about?
> Read the project description
> Listen to the interview with Silvia Vanzetto, program manager of Cifa Onlus
When we talk about Africa and the environment, the first image that comes to mind is landscapes where nature coexists with large amounts of garbage. Unlike many African cities where waste accumulates and burns on the sides of the roads, Hawassa strikes us for its cleanliness: the main roads are paved and crossed by green flowerbeds. Despite this, here and there you can see small fires of garbage, the drainage channels – fundamental to avoid flooding during the rainy season – are often clogged with bottles and in the lake, an attraction that makes Hawassa one of the main tourist centers of Ethiopia, plastic accumulates. In this context, our intervention can be really effective in making the city a virtuous example of commitment to environmental care.
We go to visit the plastic collection point that CIFA NGO manages together with local associations and receive the first information on the world of collectors, those who are responsible for the collection and differentiation of plastic both door to door and in the streets, and directly in the landfills of the city.
We are enthusiastic about the project and can’t wait to start relating to the community.
We met the staff who will be with us during the project and have just concluded two intense days of selection for the Community mobilizers, which took place through a TSC workshop. A new experience for the 17 participants, who were enthusiastic to have had a taste of the methodology, sharing theatrical games, conducting simulations and individual paths. The first step, therefore, has been taken: the work team is now complete, with the two selected Community mobilizers, Temesgen and Asegid, who will support us throughout the project.
With them we will go for the first time to attend the activity of one of the youth centers of Hawassa. Who knows if there we will find some of the young people who will build with us the show “100% plastic”…
