International Environmental Education Day: Celebrating Benson Abila's Environmental Impact
To commemorate International Environmental Education Day, we had the opportunity to sit down with one of our alumni fellows, Benson Abila, the founder of M-Taka. In celebration of his impactful work, he shared insights and experiences that highlight the transformative potential of environmental education when coupled with systematic data collection and advocacy.
?As we delve into this Q&A session, Benson Abila, an accomplished social entrepreneur and sustainability advocate, provides a closer look at his journey and the innovative intersection of technology, waste management, and environmental education.
Q. Tell us about your background.
A. I am a social entrepreneur and sustainability advocate with over six years of experience in fundraising, project and partnership management in the non-profit sector. I hold a degree in civil engineering, I am a 2022 Mandela Washington Fellow, a 2023 Metis Fellow, and a 2023 Jasiri Fellow. I am also the founder of M-taka, an award-winning tech-integrated waste management enterprise, and the founder of Homeless of Kisumu, a non-profit dedicated to improving the well-being of vulnerable groups in Kenya.?
Q. What inspired you to delve into the field of environmental education and waste management?
A. My inspiration stems from a combination of personal experiences, academic background, and a deep sense of responsibility toward community and environmental well-being.
I witnessed the environmental impact of mismanaged waste during a civil engineering project on Nairobi Dam pollution and that had a profound effect on me. The urgency to address these issues and find sustainable solutions became apparent as I saw the negative consequences on communities.
?I also volunteered in the community through Homeless of Kisumu, especially with street-connected and vulnerable youth and women from informal settlements, which exposed me to the intertwined challenges of poverty, unemployment, un-dignified work, homelessness and waste management. Recognizing the significant role of waste workers, undertaking green dignified jobs and the need for improved livelihoods further fueled my commitment.
?So, I founded M-taka to leverage technology for waste management solutions. The desire to transform perceptions of waste, dignify waste work, uplift livelihoods, and contribute to a sustainable future motivates my dedication to environmental education and waste management.
Q. What bold question are you posing today to the people?
A. What if recycling culture improved the livelihoods of waste workers?
Q. Through M-taka, you developed the M-Taka App and you also have environmental education initiatives. Tell us more about that.
A. Sure! M-taka App and system serve as central components, employing AI, data analytics, and social incentives. The app educates and engages users in recycling, employing AI for real-time feedback and predictive analysis. It enables the use of social incentives, including gamification and recognition, to drive active user engagement.
M-taka agents, especially women, are provided with training, PPE, and health benefits, who in turn use the app to connect with households and businesses in the community to conduct recycling.
Therefore, to make this model work, education and behavior change is the first and biggest step of reaching out to the community and building a user base that can supply agents with recyclables and enable them earn them an income.? This model ensures increased recycling culture and sustainable circular economy by creating green dignified jobs, sorting recyclables at the Material Recovery Facility, and establishing a scalable digital marketplace for recyclables.
Q. Oh wow! I love the aspect of empowering women in this model. Which areas have you conducted these environmental education initiatives?
A. They have primarily been conducted in Kisumu, where M-taka is based. However, we have extended our reach beyond Kisumu, engaging with communities at both the national and global levels. While our base of operations is in Kisumu, our commitment to environmental education and waste management has allowed us to share our knowledge and initiatives with communities on a broader scale, contributing to a global dialogue on sustainable waste management practices.
Q. You mentioned that the app contributes to environmental education. How does it do that?
A. The M-taka app is a dynamic tool for environmental education, playing a pivotal role in raising awareness and fostering sustainable waste management practices. Through intuitive interfaces, the app delivers educational content, such as the importance of proper waste disposal, recycling, and the broader impact on the environment. We leverage on engaging features, such as gamification, users receive real-time feedback on their recycling habits, promoting continuous learning.
It also serves as a platform for sharing impact stories, connecting users with the broader narrative of environmental conservation. In essence, it transforms the user experience into an educational journey, driving individual behaviour change and contributing to a more informed and environmentally conscious community.
Q. This has been a long journey that requires you to understand the needs and perspectives of the community. What challenges have you encountered along the way?
A. Our mission began with a commitment to address marine plastic pollution around Lake Victoria. The initial challenge lay in cultivating awareness within the community about waste management's environmental implications. We faced resistance due to entrenched habits, necessitating innovative approaches to shift perspectives. More challenges were:
The M-taka journey reflects a commitment to overcoming obstacles through innovation and adaptability.
?Q. Tell us more about your approaches in environmental education sessions or waste management initiatives?
A. They are a number! In our environmental education initiatives/sessions, we employ a multifaceted approach to address community-specific challenges.
Q. Can environmental education extend beyond traditional classroom settings? How can we integrate these lessons into everyday life to create a more sustainable society?
A. Absolutely!
Environmental education isn't just confined to classrooms; it's a daily journey we all embark on. Think about it like a friendly chat with your community – you share tips, attend workshops, and team up with local influencers. These actions create a ripple effect, turning eco-awareness into second nature. By going digital, we make this knowledge super accessible, ensuring everyone can be a part of the sustainability squad. Additionally, incentives such as rewards and recognition make it more likely for communities to join the movement.?
Q. Share two instances that highlight the influence your waste management app has had on either the community or an individual.
A. Sure! One is:
Susan Irene.
Susan Irene, an M-taka agent, experienced a substantial 54% increase in income through her involvement. Beyond economic growth, Irene emerged as a prominent advocate for women in the waste sector. Her dedication and impact were recognized when she was nominated to the Kisumu County Ward Climate Change committee. In this role, Irene actively represents the voice of women in waste management, contributing to decision-making processes, including vetting and recommending projects for the World Bank-funded Flocca Project.
?On Community-wide behavior change
M-taka app has catalyzed significant behavior change within the community. Through the platform we witnessed an increase in separation of waste at source by 57%? and this has resulted in the collection of over 500 tonnes of recyclables. This led to a substantial avoidance of over 1500 metric tons of CO2e. The app's impact extends beyond individual actions, influencing a positive shift in community-wide waste management and recycling practices.
Q. Share an example of the impact of the environmental education initiatives on an individual.
?A. One that comes to mind is Irene Ongoro's,’Nyauyoma’ Waste Transformation.
Irene, from Ondiek, was educated on the importance of waste separation. She received essential tools for waste segregation in her household. She segregated 150 kilograms of plastic waste in 3 months, earning points through the M-taka app. Irene redeemed these points for essential household goods, positively impacting her daily life. Inspired by her success, Irene became a community champion, advocating for waste separation. Her leadership created a ripple effect, fostering sustainable waste practices in her community.
?This shows the tangible impact of environmental education, empowering individuals to make a difference in waste management and inspiring positive change in their communities.
Q. In light of commemorating the International Environmental Education Day, why do you believe this day is important, and how can individuals actively contribute to the goals it represents?
A. International Environmental Education Day holds significance as it underscores the crucial role education plays in addressing environmental challenges. It serves as a reminder that informed individuals are key to sustainable practices. To actively contribute, individuals can engage in local initiatives, promote eco-friendly behaviors, and support environmental education programs. By sharing knowledge, participating in community activities, and advocating for sustainable policies, individuals amplify the impact of environmental education.?
Q. What is your long-term vision for the intersection of technology, waste management, and environmental education?
A. To witness a harmonious intersection of technology, waste management, and environmental education, with Kenya serving as a model for global sustainability.
In this vision, technology seamlessly integrates into waste management, facilitating efficient recycling processes and fostering a circular economy. Environmental education, powered by innovative platforms like M-taka, becomes ingrained in societal norms, creating a culture of responsible waste disposal and sustainable practices.
Q. How do you see the role of environmental education evolving in the coming years, and what positive changes do you hope to witness?
A. Environmental education is poised to evolve into a more integral aspect of global consciousness, fostering sustainable practices and systemic change. I anticipate a shift towards personalized, technology-driven learning experiences that empower individuals to make informed environmental choices. With the rise of immersive technologies, virtual reality and augmented reality could play a pivotal role in creating engaging, lifelike scenarios that deepen understanding.
Moreover, I hope to witness increased collaboration between educational institutions, governments, and businesses to embed environmental education across curricula and workplaces. This evolution should lead to a collective mindset shift, driving positive changes in consumption patterns, policy advocacy, and everyday choices.
Q. Interesting that you have mentioned policy advocacy. This shows that it’s not just about impacting immediate communities but ensuring that there’s advocacy-led systemic change. How do you think you can influence policies?
A. As an integral part of M-taka's mission, we recognize the vital role that policy formulation plays in shaping sustainable waste management practices and environmental education initiatives. We firmly believe that data-driven insights are the cornerstone of effective policy influence. Therefore, we actively collect and leverage data through our platform to inform policy decisions and contribute to meaningful changes in waste management.
The data collected serves a dual purpose - not only does it guide our internal strategies for improving the M-Taka App and environmental education initiatives, but it also serves as a powerful tool for influencing broader policies.
Q. For education leaders aspiring to contribute to environmental education, what advice would you offer based on your experience?
A. As education education leaders, envision your role as catalysts for positive change.
Additionally, embrace innovation, integrating technology and experiential learning to challenge the status quo and cultivate a movement of an environmentally conscious and sustainable world.
Finally, I’d encourage fellow education leaders to adopt an evidence-based advocacy approach. Understand the impact of your initiatives, collect data on educational outcomes, and use this information to influence policies that resonate with the local community. Policymakers are more likely to act when presented with compelling evidence that addresses the real needs of the people.
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In conclusion:
Benson's journey highlights the transformative potential of environmental education when coupled with systematic data collection and advocacy.
We pose a bold question to you, ‘’What if we leverage technology and digital platforms to broaden the reach of environmental education advocacy?’’
To get involved, you can reach him via:
0702-824 568?