I was born and raised in Cases District, Kilembe Quarters, a flood-prone village. My family lived in isolation, in a house that was highly susceptible to the devastating effects of flooding and waterlogging. The vulnerability of our home to such conditions was a constant worry for us.
My passion for tackling plastic pollution was borne out of a personal tragedy that befell my family on the night of June 13th, 2007. On that fateful night, our home was submerged by floodwaters. In the chaos and destruction, we lost my beloved brother. He was found beneath a heap of plastic waste, a heart-wrenching discovery that changed my life forever.
From that moment, I was determined to make a difference. I founded Pendeza Shelters, an organization dedicated to providing housing solutions to two-thirds of homeless individuals in rural areas, particularly in refugee camps. Our mission is to construct eco-friendly homes using plastic bottles.
Pendeza Shelters has achieved remarkable milestones. We have built 45 eco houses, providing safe and sustainable shelter for 302 households. This achievement was made possible by recycling over 1,000,000 plastic bottles. Furthermore, we have trained 43 youth from various communities in Uganda and countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe.
The success of Pendeza Shelters is a testament to the power of turning personal tragedy into a force for positive change. Through our work, we address the critical issue of homelessness and tackle plastic pollution, creating a more sustainable and hopeful future for many.
