WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) Flip Flop Arts & Crafts Project

Aims

• To help safeguard the turtles and dugongs
• To empower the local women & youth
• To provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for the local community
• To create awareness and provide training on sustainable management of the natural resources of the area
  

Background

Kiunga Marine National Reserve (KMNR) is located in the northern archipelago of Lamu. Here, two convergin ocean currents meet, resulting in a lot of flip flops and other floating debris being washed onto the beaches. This waste poses a great danger to nesting turtles, their hatchlings and other marine and bird life. The local Bajuni people living in the area, especially women and youth, have few means of generating their own income.

Results

The collection of flip flops along the beaches and moulding them into toys and other handicrafts creates both social and environmental benefits. They clean up the beaches and from their sales they earn an income where work opportunities are few. Also, it helps reduce the pressure on natural resources. Instead of earning an income on cutting the mangroves, they turn to this project. Today, this project empowers almost 200 women and youth from five nearby villages. They run and manage a shop at WWF research station, and are setting up distribution channels for marketing.

The way forward

• To secure the sustainability of the project
• To train on management level
• To develop business principles, democracy and business organisation
• To enhance PR, product development and marketing
• To seek out distribution channels

It is possible to sponsor and take an active part in WWF Flip Flop Arts Project.

For further details contact:

tina@basecampexplorer.com