Students participating in the International Coastal Cleanup Day, actively collecting rubbish from the beach to promote marine conservation and environmental awareness.

October 11, 2024

A Wave of Change: International Coastal Clean-up Day 2024

The 2024 International Coastal Clean-up Day in Kilifi was a fantastic success! With over 170 eager volunteers, we made a massive impact on our local beaches, all while having a blast. The day was filled with smiles, laughter, and a shared sense of purpose as we came together to protect our oceans.

Student from Hope Integrated School and Fumbini Secondary teaming up for ICC Day.

From the Kenya Navy and Kenya Police Service to the vibrant Rastafarian community, everyone showed up ready to get their hands dirty—literally! The cool sea breeze and upbeat music kept us moving as we worked together to collect nearly 300 kg of waste from the shores.

Omar, our turtle ranger, and Millicent from the Kilifi Rastafarian group, sharing laughs while taking on the beach cleanup challenge at ICC Day—turns out, picking up rubbish can be a lot of fun when you've got great company!

The Kenya Navy, armed with woven sacks, stands ready to protect marine life by clearing the beach of harmful debris

A Day of Action, Art, and Prizes

After a busy morning of collecting rubbish, the fun continued under the marquis. We turned some of the colorful plastic waste into beautiful collage art—led by the creative students who crafted a dolphin and a sea turtle! These masterpieces will be proudly displayed at a local nursery school, inspiring future eco-warriors.

Students creating a stunning waste collage from the treasures collected off the beach—turning trash into art and making a positive impact!

Not only did we get artistic, but we also learned how to make eco-bricks by packing waste materials into old water bottles—an easy and effective way to recycle and repurpose plastic waste. It was a hands-on experience that left everyone feeling empowered to make a difference.

Eco-bricks were then taken to Hope Integrated School and used to build a playground bench.

We wrapped up the day with a prize-giving ceremony, where we awarded flip-flop wristbands to the students for their incredible art pieces. In addition, we recognized the hard work of the community groups, like our amazing Ocean Sole Mamaz, by presenting them with Ocean Conservation Certificates to honor their dedication to protecting our oceans.

Deputy headmaster of Hope Integrated School giving prizes for the best art work.

With prizes in hand and snacks to celebrate, the day ended on a high note, leaving everyone feeling motivated and proud of what we accomplished together.

By the Numbers: Waste Collected

Here’s the breakdown of what we managed to clean up:

Infographic highlighting the different types of waste collected during International Coastal Cleanup Day, showcasing the combined efforts of our volunteers to remove nearly 300 kg of rubbish from our beaches.

Looking Forward

Our work doesn’t stop here! The community spirit we saw at this year’s International Coastal Clean-up Day proves that when we come together, we can create real, lasting change. Every piece of waste removed from our beaches is a victory for marine life, and we’re excited to keep the momentum going with more clean-ups, more art, and more eco-brick creations.

Thank you to all the volunteers, organizations, and community groups who made this day possible, including:

Kenya Police Service, Kenya Navy, Kilifi County Municipality, Ocean Sole, IFAW, The Leaf Charity, Hand in Hand Eastern Africa, Kilifi Youth for Sustainable Development, The Green Heart of Kenya, Distant Relative, Pwani University Clubs, Rotaracts Club of Pwani University, Pwani University Environmental Club, Ocean Sole Mamaz, Friends of Nature, Hope Integrated School, Fumbini Secondary, and many more!

Let’s keep our beaches clean and our oceans thriving. Together, we can make waves of change!