Young man’s ecosystem restoration campaign in Tanzania gains momentum

When Alyanz Nasser was 15, he was fed up with the plastic waste polluting the environment in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. 

For his Grade 10 personal project, he created a Social Enterprise with his friend Shilen Dawda called EnviroBags, an environmentally-friendly, reusable bag company.  In 2017, Envirobags was able to sell thousands of reusable bags to the Tanzanian public.

Since then Alyanz Nasser developed his passion for saving the environment, this time through a new platform. In 2020 he founded an Ngo along with his sister Rania Nasser and other Tanzanian students called Foundation for the Educational and Environmental Advancement of Tanzanians(Feet). 

One of Feet’s aim's is to reduce and prevent deforestation as well as other climatic issues in the world currently, such as bushfire mitigation and plastic pollution.

Feet will provide training to the local people of Tanzania so that they can use more sustainable farming practices that are just as efficient and so that they are educated about the harms of plastic pollution    

Feet started an instagram campaign 12 weeks ago for youth with the aim of amplifying the voices of younger generations as the movement for climate change intensifies. Over 100 schools participated and the aim was for the students to take photos and videos of  an environment around them that was not in a sustainable condition.

  The campaign’s purpose was to raise awareness about how humanity is damaging the natural world and to show students how ecosystems can be revived. 

The campaign was showcased on Saturday 19th of June, 2021 at the Alliance Francaise in Dar es Salaam.  Ten students were given prizes for the best idea and photo.

Feet will also be planting 1000 Jacaranda trees in Dar es Salaam and we will continue to plant trees in other cities in Tanzania throughout the year. 

The event was graced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Liberata Mulamula, Minister of State in the President's Office, Honorable Ummy Mwalimu, France ambassador to Tanzania, Frederic Clavier, Director of Environment in the Vice President's Office Dr Andrew Komba and three Environment Ambassadors.

Ms Liberata Mulamula said that " Restoring ecosystems large and small protects and  improves the livelihoods of people who depend on them". I appreciate what you do and how it has helped the country in mitigating the factors that affect the environment. You have chosen a good cause. I wish to commend Feet and your partners".

Honorable Minister Ummy Mwalimu said "We are aware that Feet will be planting 20,000 trees, we will work alongside you as the local government to ensure that you achieve your objectives".

Ambassador Frederic Clavier also commended the efforts of Feet "as we collectively push to revive and protect our ecosystems from climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution". 

The Director of Enviornment Dr Andrew Komba, recognized that it is a monumental task with a role for everyone to play to save our ecosystem.