By Zainab Yakasai
In this humbling experience of life, I found myself in the midst of yet another challenging journey that began two years ago at Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN).
At first, being a health worker, I refrain the idea of accepting a position in a waste management organization. Especially used to the flashy white attire and appearances in immunization campaigns, health outreach, and related activities of health personnel’s (well you can relate). Thoughts like “what’s there to offer in waste”…”There won’t be any opportunities…”This informal people” crossed my mind. Anyhow, I took a lift of faith and the challenge to venture and explore the sector’s breath and width, as I was a natural explorer.
Optimistic as I was, I began to see possibilities, intersections, and relevance of public health to the scope of waste management. I watched and learned closely from my colleagues and seniors, and then I realized it was a complete ocean depth that I took for a mirage after some seminar workshops and factories site visits earlier that year.
Since, then I saddled the responsibility and passion for exploring the intersection of health in the waste management sector, especially as it relates to the health and social protection of waste pickers in Nigeria.
Fast forward, I began to participate in teams to organise waste pickers’ informal sensitization workshops, landfills visitations, and, of course, close group discussion with waste pickers on health and safety and sustainable practices.
Humbled enough, today, I am a program coordinator of health and social rights protection at the waste pickers association of Nigeria.
As we live on, I will keep you posted to more of my activities in this humbling environment that enriches and look out for a better sustainable environment and waste pickers endeavours.
Zainab Yakasai, a program coordinator with Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria, writes from Abuja