By Millicent Senava Mannah

In a pioneering effort to combat environmental degradation and food insecurity, Waste Ventures, a youth-led organization dedicated to sustainable waste management and agriculture, officially launched its flagship project at Aberdeen Municipal Secondary School.

The organization, founded by Isatu Zainab Mansaray, a 2024 Mandela Washington Fellow, seeks to empower young African leaders by turning waste into agricultural wealth. With over six years of experience working with Caritas Freetown in waste management, climate change, and disaster risk reduction, Mansaray is no stranger to tackling pressing environmental issues.

“Waste is not the end—it’s the beginning of sustainability,” said Mansaray in an interview. “Our goal is to empower communities, especially women and youth, with the knowledge and tools to transform waste into a resource that supports food security and environmental health.”

At the launch event, Mansaray donated waste bins, seedlings, and planting materials to Aberdeen Municipal Secondary School. The event included practical demonstrations and discussions on composting, proper waste disposal, and climate-smart agriculture.

“This initiative is timely and important,” said Madam Theresa Koroma, a school administrator. “Our students are excited not just to learn about sustainability, but to practice it. We now see our school grounds as both a learning space and a garden of hope.”

The students echoed similar enthusiasm.

“We’ve learned how we can turn banana peels and other waste into compost for growing crops,” said Mariatu Kamara, a senior student. “It feels good to know we are part of something that helps both the environment and our families.”

Mansaray’s participation in the Mandela Washington Fellowship, a U.S. State Department initiative, played a significant role in shaping her vision. The program brings together promising African leaders for six weeks of academic and leadership training in the United States.

“The Fellowship gave me a broader understanding of leadership and global sustainability practices,” she shared. “But most importantly, it deepened my commitment to creating local solutions for local problems.”

Waste Ventures aims to expand its outreach by collaborating with women farmers, school administrators, and students to foster widespread adoption of sustainable practices. Future plans include training workshops, community gardens, and waste-to-compost initiatives across other schools and communities in Sierra Leone.

“This is just the beginning,” Mansaray emphasized. “We envision a Sierra Leone where waste is seen not as a burden but as a valuable asset.”

As climate change and food insecurity continue to challenge the nation, initiatives like Waste Ventures offer practical, grassroots solutions with the potential for long-term impact.

“Young leaders like Isatu give us hope,” said Dr. Samuel Sesay, an environmental scientist attending the launch. “Her work is a blueprint for how youth-driven innovation can lead the sustainability movement in Africa.”