Meet the eco-champion transforming waste into educational opportunities

QS ImpACT is a charitable organisation which recognises the positive impact students around the world are having on society, through promoting sustainability and being part of projects that contribute towards community regeneration and transformation.

As part of their work, QS ImpACT recognise young people with Certificates, Badges, Scholarships and Awards. Last year, they impacted over 112,000 people across 87 countries with over 2,100 community members and 50 Youth Ambassadors.

At the end of 2023, awards were given to individuals who had made particularly notable contributions. The winner of 'Eco-Champion of the Year' was Joy Ifeanyi from Nigeria.  

Her project 'Waste to Desks' addresses the critical issue of insufficient school desks in underserved schools through an innovative waste recycling model.

How Joy’s project makes a difference

The absence of proper seating not only inflicts physical discomfort but severely impedes students' educational experiences and aspirations. Learning on the floor not only affects focus and engagement in lessons, but also creates barriers to academic success, impacting self-esteem among children and youth.

Beyond the classroom, there is a broader environmental challenge prevalent in communities like Agbado where Joy teaches as an educator. A massive dump site pollutes the environment and blocks the drainage, affecting access to the school. Witnessing these challenges, 'Waste to Desks' not only strives to provide quality education, but also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 13 by taking climate action.

Students actively collect recyclables from the community, exchange them for funds, and utilise those funds to solve the problem in the classroom: the construction of school desks. This goes beyond providing physical comfort; it instils practical skills, fosters environmental responsibility and improves academic outcomes. The project exemplifies sustainable, community-driven solutions and aligns with various SDGs.

The impact is not confined to desk provision; it transforms communities by addressing waste management issues, enhancing infrastructure and empowering students with practical skills and knowledge of the SDGs. The initiative also imparts carpentry, woodworking, recycling and community engagement skills, emphasising environmental responsibility through sustainable practices.

Impact of the project

So far, the project has provided school desks for over 100 students, lifting them from the floor while solving environmental issues, showcasing direct impact. However, its indirect and collective impacts are more profound, enhancing learning environments, instilling pride and fostering community ownership.  

Project Waste to Desks becomes more than a solution; it evolves into a catalyst for holistic community development, aligning with multiple Sustainable Development Goals and fostering a brighter future for students in underserved schools and communities.