Eco-friendly youth group turning waste bottles into usable glassware and art

KENNEDY NJUGUNA is the founder of Maasai Hunt Youth Group. He tells JAEL MUSUMBA his journey in business.

Briefly tell us about yourself.

I am a member of Maasai Hunt Youth Group, a non-profit organisation in Ngando on the outskirts of Nairobi. The group offers eco-friendly solutions and volunteers to teach art and craftsmanship skills for self-employment.

What prompted you to start recycling bottles into usable products?

The love of nature prompted me into recycling glass. Glass produced from recycled glass materials reduces air pollution by 20 per cent and water pollution by 50 per cent. Recycling means there are less glass objects lying around in the landfill or bin.

Recycled glass.

How was it for you at the beginning? Did you ever feel like giving up at some point?

It has not been a walk in the park. We were lucky to represent Nairobi County during Devolution Conference in Kirinyaga County in 2019. To our disappointment, we didn't manage meaningful sales and we returned home with our items. This is a challenge we are now aware of and we are determined to overcome.

What was your mission at the outset?

The mission has been the same since the very beginning: to recycle, teach more youth and maximise our level of production to meet the growing demand. We have crafted an authentic art of engraving on glass as an appreciation of our "roots" and the "green initiative" both in interior design and architectural glass works.

Where did you get the idea from and how did you acquire the skills?

A friend shared with me about glass engravings and recycling. I decided to learn and equip myself with skills.

Why focus on bottles only?

First of all is its availability. It is easy to access bottles compared to other products. As our canvas, we use glass to tell our story of transforming and help reform the youth.

How would you describe your business?

At Maasai Hunt Kenya, our mission is to contribute to nature conservation through an eco-friendly activity to provide our clients with an enjoyable recycling and engraving experience.

Do you work with specific bottles?

Any bottle is gold to us. We are discouraging throwing away of things. Like activist Annie Leonard once said: "There is no such thing as away. When we throw bottles away, it must go somewhere."

Reworked and engraved.

How do you build a successful customer base?

By providing excellent customer service. Happy customers increases our customer base through word of mouth.

What kind of education, training or background does this business require?

Glass recycling and engraving does not require academic excellence; it's a skill that anyone can learn. Our mission is to train street families and equip them with a skill.

Do you think there is a pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?

Yes, there is a formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur. This is by identifying your gift. Every human came into the world with a gift, which they must discover and refine for them to be successful.