Report on the Msumarini Beach Cleanup Activity conducted on 25th November 2023
Bornface Okinyi from Rusinga is studying biochemistry at the Technical University Mombasa. He and his brother Brian are committed to the environment. Both have received sponsorship support to finance their studies. Bornface tells us the following:
“The beach cleanup activity was done by students from Msumarini Academy Primary School, their staff and some of the community members. Me personally joined the team in the exercise after getting an invitation from my brother Brian Omondi who has done a lot of work and has put much effort as far as marine environment conservation is concerned.
Despite my busy academic schedule this semester, I purposed and attended the same as it was a great avenue for fighting environmental pollution. Initially we had visited Msumarini Academy together with my brother Brian and created awareness on the rising environmental pollution hazards and possible solutions to such. It was my greatest pleasure attending such event and we were so encouraged by the school’s unwavering determination to eradicate environmental pollution.
The activity required some facilitation as the beach where the activity was to take place was located some quite a distance from the school. I was so humbled that my brother Brian who we have been walking with all along in this journey of marine conservation offered to provide meals (breakfast and lunch) and other refreshments (drinking water) for the entire team. This really meant a lot to the students as we were formed that majority of them came from humble backgrounds and couldn’t be fortunate enough to find food home even after coming from such a tiresome activity. I was so humbled and motivated by Brian’s act; despite him not living on a salary, he still afforded to sacrifice and save some money for feeding the staff on such an important activity to our environment.
Safety gloves were also bought and issued to each participant to ensure their health safety and direct contact with the wastes as some could be harmful in direct contact with the body. Sacks were also bought for collection process; after collecting the wastes we packed and bagged them into sacks to avoid scattering them all over and to contain them.”
Bornface tells us something else: “In the below photo is me with a young girl with a physical disability as seen. I felt so touched by the fact that despite being physically disable, she was so passionate about environmental conservation and particularly doing the beach cleanup activity where she actively participated. After getting collecting information from teachers and students, I later learnt that the young girl was from a very needy family where even putting a meal on table is a serious challenge. I was further told even at school she had serious financial challenges. I was made to learn that they pay KSHS 600 per month adding to 1,800 per term and KSHS 5,400 per year. Her parents find a very big challenge raising this. Despite all these challenges, I was so happy to learn that the young girl is a very active and bright person academically. This moved me and I promised to assist in paying her fees as from January from the little I will be saving from my upkeep money. I was so touched and I have decided to impact on the life of that young lady. I will pay the little I will be having to cater for her fees.”
Bornface plans to start a poultry farming project with the community so that at least the children from less fortunate families can be supported. He also plans to start a tree nursery project with them as soon as school starts again in the new year. And, of course, they plan to organise a beach clean-up twice a month in future to keep our marine environment clean.
And Bornface has a request: “Any support you can offer, be it in the form of ideology, materials or capital, any help, however small, will be greatly appreciated by us. Together we can do it, I firmly believe in teamwork. Let’s make a difference together and impact the lives of many people. I look forward to hearing from you soon and wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in advance. Goodbye, enjoy the holidays.
Receive much regards, Bornface Okinyi.”
Bornface is doing a great job. We can be proud of him. He has sponsors in Germany for his studies. Now he is giving the help to others. To the community and to the environment.