Mother Majeri pupils turn trash into reusable items

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Classrooms turned into showrooms at Mother Majeri Nursery and Primary School in Kirinnya, Wakiso district, as pupils showcased how they had transformed trash into useful and beautiful items over the weekend.

The exhibition highlighted the pupils' creativity in recycling waste into products that can be used at home and even sold for income.

Parents inspect some of the recycled items that were made by the pupils. (Photo by Maureen Nakatudde)

Primary one pupils turned plastic bottles and polythene bags into attractive household items such as doormats, panty pegs, dustbins, kennels, pencil holders, ropes and key holders.

Using discarded paper, Primary two pupils made dustbins, laundry baskets, necklaces, sandals, shopping bags, gift bags, road signs, chandeliers and decorative fruits. Each classroom also displayed framed photographs of every child using recycled paper.

Primary three pupils took recycling to another level by making home décor items. Together with their teachers, they transformed old car tyres into comfortable chairs, a centre table and flower vases. They also made briquettes, wall hangings, flower holders, candles, dolls and mirrors.

Pupils showcase some of the recycled bottles. (Photo by Maureen Nakatudde)

The guest of honour, Anthony Akol, the Member of Parliament for Kilak North Constituency, expressed admiration for the creativity displayed by the pupils.

Akol said recycling waste not only helps to protect the environment but can also become a source of income.

"All the items you have seen today in the children's classrooms can be sold at good prices in shops in Kampala," he said.

He urged parents to lead by example so that their children can grow up caring for the environment.

"As a world, we are greatly affected by plastic waste," he said. "It is important that these children are taught early so that they become responsible keepers of the environment."

A pupil shows off some of the photo frames he made out of trash. (Photo by Maureen Nakatudde)

The headteacher, Thomas Kisolo Kitandwe, said the school introduced the recycling project because of the growing environmental challenges caused by poor waste management and climate change.

"The best time to teach children how to care for the environment is while they are still in school," he said. "We must ask ourselves how we can manage our waste and at the same time benefit from it. Instead of littering it everywhere, we should recycle and reuse it."

The head of the lower section, Theopista Akot, said recycling activities give children an opportunity to think creatively, innovate and use simple materials to make useful products that can improve people's lives.

She added that behind every item the children made was a story of patience, creativity and teamwork, qualities that are essential for success in life.

A pupil displays some of the items they made out of waste. (Photo by Maureen Nakatudde)

One of the parents, Jemina Lamunu, applauded the school for equipping the children with practical skills in addition to classroom learning.

"I love the creativity and practical skills our children are developing besides what they learn in class," she said. "The children are doing it with passion, and this is the right time for parents to encourage them to continue practising these skills at home."