By: Mpho Shelile
Maseru – In observance of Environmental World Day, Molhen Paper Solutions, a small-scale, eco-friendly paper bag manufacturing company based in Maseru, hosts a lively and impactful fun walk with the theme ‘The Earth is in your hands.’
The event, held at Maseru Club, brings together individuals from all walks of life, united by their shared passion for protecting the planet.
The fun walk, taking place in Maseru, serves as a platform for participants to engage in meaningful conversations about the pressing environmental issues facing our world today.
From climate change to biodiversity loss, attendees have the opportunity to learn more about these challenges and explore ways in which they can contribute to positive change.
In an interview with Informative, Makhala Henson, founder and managing director at Molhen Paper Solutions, states that this event contributes to raising awareness about environmental issues by creating a space for interested parties to come in and share their opinions and suggestions on what can be done to help improve the state of our environment where it needs improvement.
She emphasizes the importance of educating people on environmental conservation.
When asked about the inspiration behind this fun walk for World Environment Day, their motivation stems from a desire to physically engage with young people and the general public, fostering interest in environmental issues.
“We aim to raise awareness and initiate conversations about collective actions not just relying on the government and municipality to prevent further environmental degradation,” she emphasizes.
Makhala hoped to capture the attention of the younger generation, particularly secondary and some primary students, encouraging their enthusiasm for major environmental events like World Environment Day and instilling a sense of stewardship.
The goal is to provide a platform for showcasing creativity and innovation, with a focus on waste management and recycling practices. Additionally, she believes that these efforts can influence practices within households, schools, and communities.
Beyond the fun walk, Molhen Paper Solutions plans to launch a competition for primary and secondary school students, allowing them to present innovative projects across four categories: sustainable gardening initiatives, technology, themed art and crafts, and debating.
Makhala expresses a strong desire to collaborate with various environment clubs in schools across Lesotho, aiming to establish the GreenRise Challenge as an annual event. This initiative, which coincides with World Environment Day, includes incentives to encourage students to take on leadership roles as environmental stewards. The goal is to bolster the circular economy model that the country is currently transitioning into and to ignite job creation within the green sector.
The initiative has garnered positive responses from the communities reached, particularly through social media and major media outlets. Notably, businesses such as Kaeane Renewable Energy Development (led by Bokang Lits’iba), Miss Keep Lesotho Clean (led by Relebohile Lenea), Plant One Tree (led by Mpho Lebesa), and Lema Agrivest (led by Mochesane Mpali) provide crucial support. Their involvement is a blessing, and there is genuine excitement about collaborating on future projects.
Furthermore, the fun walk serves as a powerful symbol of unity and solidarity in the fight against environmental degradation. As participants walk side by side, they demonstrate their collective commitment to protecting the planet for future generations. The event fosters a sense of community and empowerment, highlighting that when individuals come together, they can make a tangible difference in the world.
“To minimize environmental impact, we prioritize digital marketing over printed flyers, reducing litter in the streets. Additionally, we partner with a waste management company in Maseru to provide waste bins during the event. These bins facilitate efficient waste collection, maintaining a clean space and initiating conversations about recycling systems,” she adds.
In addition to raising awareness, the fun walks have a positive impact on the local community and environment. Molhen collaborates with local organizations to ensure that the event is eco-friendly, implementing measures to minimize waste and promote responsible consumption. Participants are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles and bags, and recycling stations are strategically placed throughout the venue.
To conclude, Makhala states that yes, they most definitely want to continue such initiatives. “Our plan is to engage with communities (adults and children), districts, schools, and lastly, government and developmental organizations and the private sector. So hopefully our next event will be in December and another one next year before another commemoration of World Environment Day 2025”. Bottom of Form
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