Keep Mthunzi clean!

A clean environment will go a long way in reducing the occurrence of diseases such as cholera.

Today’s population is increasing and everyday people are destroying the environment. Scientist predict that within the next 50 years or so, global warming will cause the earth to increase in temperature, with consequent droughts and a widespread desertification process.

All this could be avoided or contained if we reduce air pollution, and reuse and recycle everyday products in order to keep our environment clean. In fact, one of the most common ways to pollute the environment is the careless throwing of litter, including plastic, all over the place.

There is a common saying: “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”. The Mthunzi boys have decided to put in into practice. Bins for throwing in rubbish have been provided and placed almost at very accessible points so that even people who come at the Centre can find it easy to dump papers and other refusals in these bins. Plastic materials are dumped into separate bins from those meant for organic waste, because plastic must not be mixed with organic waste, since plastics are non-biodegradable, meaning that they don’t easily decompose while organic waste is biodegradable. Plastics are then thrown into a pit far from the living quarters, where they are burnt systematically, while the organic waste are let to decompose and become compost and later used for manure at the garden.

Following the suggestion of two Spanish friend who have visited us these days, we have selected a place where we put the organic waste. In the same place we keep a few sturdy local hens, so that on top of helping in the decomposition of the waste, they produce for us some eggs.

The Mthunzi boys have therefore started sensitizing people on the importance of conserving environment and on how organic manure can help to boost the fertility of soil.

Do not forget, when you visit Mthunzi always remember to throw the rubbish into the bin!

By Mike Mwenda