In 2009 Isatou got a job working for Future In Our Hands, a Swedish non-profit. This provided her with the opportunity to work with a wider range of communities in the Gambia. In 2012, Isatou also won the International Alliance for Women’s Difference Maker award. Today, her story has also been published in a book called ‘ One Plastic Bag’ authored by Miranda Paul and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon.

The women had travelled 20km from Tawto village to learn about waste reprocessing techniques at the Recycling Innovation Centre, purpose built by the newly-formed NGO WasteAid UK and Women’s Initiative – the Gambia (WIG), a local partner, on land donated by Brikama area council. Her story was published in a book authored by Miranda Paul and Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon [4] [9] [10] The women, in those days, they were using the bags to light fires when they wanted to cook, especially during the rainy season when all of our firewood was wet.

Njau’s hidden progress

As a multimedia storytelling platform, 'Climate Heroes' is dedicated to producing compelling documentaries that spotlight the valiant efforts of individuals who are steadfastly combatting environmental challenges and mitigating the impacts of climate change. Chris Seekings talks to Isatou Ceesay about recycling plastic in The Gambia, and her mission to protect the environment while driving female economic empowerment

Some people laughed at Isatou and her friends, telling them they were ‘dirty’ for digging around in the rubbish. Some men told her that her plans couldn’t work because she was a woman and too young to be a leader. But Isatou believed in what she was doing. She loved helping others and relished a challenge. In her family, everyone had always worked together to solve problems, and her mother had been a great inspiration to her. In the Gambia, many girls were unable to finish school because they were needed at home to help their mothers. Isatou wanted women to have the chance to learn skills and to earn money, even if they had not been given the chance to finish their education. It is women who are in charge of waste and they are dedicated to their communities, and can really contribute a lot,” said Ceesay. Just a few days’ stay in Njau also offers any visitor a chance to observe some of the invisible aspects of progress, such as an inspirational mindset, can-do attitude, and an environment where men and women work together. These are just some of the intangible impacts created by WIG, the organisation that put Njau on the international radar. What started with a simple plastic bag clean-up has evolved into a giant umbrella for fighting climate change, reforesting parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, supporting women’s empowerment, promoting disability advocacy, and preserving traditional knowledge and culture. The initiative’s director, Isatou Ceesay, who recently completed a tour of the US promoting her children’s book on recycling, passionately believes that waste reprocessing offers women a route to economic empowerment. It is women who are in charge of waste and they are dedicated to their communities, and can really contribute a lot Isatou Ceesay, Women's Initiative – The Gambia Really fascinating blog and a story well worth telling! Wonderful that Luke offered his photos free to promote your initiative.Isatou started the organization, the Njau Recycling and Income Generation Group. More than 100 women participate in the organization. They gather waste and bring it to a central location to be used by everyone.