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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: DRC PLASTIC WASTE
HEADLINE: DRC woman creates jobs by recycling plastics
TEASER: Entrepreneur helps fight plastic pollution while offering jobs to displaced people in Goma
PUBLISHED AT:
BYLINE: Zanem Nety Zaidi
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: GOMA, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
VIDEOGRAPHER: Zanem Nety Zaidi
VIDEO EDITOR:
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Africa Division Editors
SCRIPT EDITORS: Salem Solomon, KEnochs; Baragona
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Original
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO X
TRT: 2:42
VID APPROVED BY: KE
TYPE: TVPKG/RADIO
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO)) [[In Goma, a town in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a woman-led recycling company is tackling plastic pollution... and creating jobs for some of the country’s millions of internally displaced people. Reporter Zanem Nety Zaidi takes us inside this entrepreneur’s business.]]
((NARRATOR))
Irene Maroy is a manager at the Resilience for Development Group, (1) or RDG, a woman-owned business that turns plastic waste into eco-friendly paving stones. Based in Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the company provides jobs for people displaced by years of war.
Maroy says her focus is on young internally displaced people, hoping to prevent them from joining armed groups.
((Irene Maroy, Resilience for Development Group Manager)) ((Female, in French))
“When I saw so many young people turning to armed groups because they had no jobs, I knew I had a duty to help. And when war forced our fellow citizens to flee to the city, I decided to support some of the displaced by buying the plastic waste they collect. Thanks to this, many—especially women—are now able to provide for their families.”
((NARRATOR))
As of April 2024, the DRC had 6.8 million internally displaced people, according to the United Nations. (2)
Boniface Kayna, a father of seven, is one of them. He says he is grateful for the job with RDG. ((Boniface Kayna, Resilience for Development Group Employee)) ((Male, in Swahili)) “By the grace of God, I met Irene. She taught me how to turn plastic waste into eco-friendly paving stones. I’m grateful because, on the 15th and 30th of each month, I get paid before the World Food Program assists us in the camp. That money helps me and my family survive.” ((NARRATOR)) The company also aims to make a dent in plastic waste. For almost three years, the paving stones produced by the company have helped clean up the city of Goma and have been laid in private plots as well, says customer Gloire Muhindo.
((Gloire Muhindo, Customer)) ((Male, in Swahili)) “I chose to buy these paving stones mainly because they’re made locally, which really motivated me. They’re made from plastic waste—like bags and bottles—that litter our city. Supporting this initiative not only promotes recycling but also helps keep our city clean.”
((NARRATOR)) Maroy’s team say they are recycling about ten tons of plastic every month in Goma. She says she is accomplishing two goals: fighting plastic waste and helping war-displaced people become more self-reliant.
((Zanem Nety Zaidi, VOA Africa, Goma, the Democratic Republic of Congo.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateSeptember 22, 2024 20:12 EDT
BylineMargarette Besheer
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
