Monthly Newsletter - April 2026
- rehemamercy900
- May 1
- 4 min read
April was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when community, creativity, and conservation come together.
In just one month, we upcycled over 10,000 discarded flip-flops — removing them from beaches and waterways and giving them a second life as art. Each one represents less plastic in the ocean, and one more step toward healthier marine ecosystems.
From this collected waste, our artisans hand-carved 1,060 unique sculptures — each piece shaped with care, skill, and imagination. Behind every sculpture is not just color and creativity, but meaningful work and dignified livelihoods for Kenyan artisans.
But the impact doesn’t stop there.
Conservation
Beach cleans
During this month, two beach cleanup exercises were carried out in partnership with Kwa Chambo fishermen and Ocean Sole Mamaz. These activities aimed at reducing marine pollution, particularly plastic waste that threatens marine life such as sea turtles and fish species. We were able to collect a total of 307.36Kgs.
The involvement of the fishermen was key, as they are directly dependent on marine resources and play an important role in conservation efforts. Ocean Sole Mamaz also contributed significantly by supporting waste collection and promoting recycling initiatives. The cleanups helped improve the condition of the beaches and raised awareness on the importance of keeping the marine environment clean.
Turtle safe project.
Sea turtle conservation remains an important part of the activities carried out this month. Two turtle nests were successfully released, marking a positive step in ongoing conservation efforts and they had successful rate of 38.09 and 60.46% both from hawksbill sea turtle nests.
In addition, several nests are currently under monitoring, and more hatchings are expected in the coming month. Continuous monitoring and protection are necessary to ensure high survival rates of hatchlings and to reduce threats such as predation and human disturbance.
Community
Kwa Chambo Fishermen Self-help Group
Kwa Chambo fishermen played an active role in both conservation and education activities. They conducted a beach cleanup where they collected a total of 197.31 kg of marine litter, significantly contributing to improving the coastal environment. In addition, the fishermen organized and led a snorkelling reconnaissance session for Kivukoni school children at Nguruni. During this activity, they guided the children safely in the water and shared their knowledge of marine life and coral ecosystems, helping to raise awareness and promote a sense of responsibility towards ocean conservation among the young participants.
Ocean Sole Mamaz Self-help Group
Ocean Sole Mamaz actively participated in conservation and livelihood activities. They conducted one beach cleanup, during which they collected a total of 110.05 kg of marine litter, contributing to improved coastal cleanliness. In addition, they carried out three garden sessions, where they planted mchicha (amaranth) and cowpeas, taking advantage of the current planting season. These sessions focused on promoting food security, sustainable practices, and community empowerment through small-scale agriculture.
Nyota ya Asubuhi
Together with the Nyota ya Asubuhi children, we conducted a vermicompost training session facilitated with the support of the Ocean Sole mamaz. The session focused on introducing the children to sustainable organic waste management and how to produce nutrient-rich compost using worms for their school and home gardens. In addition, the children received a donation of snorkeling gear, which will help them safely explore and learn more about the marine environment during future educational activities.
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Flip-Flop Art with Purpose
Every sculpture created this month carries a story — of waste transformed, of hands at work, and of hope for cleaner oceans.
In April alone, we upcycled over 10,000 discarded flip-flops, removing them from the environment and giving them a second life. From this, our artisans hand-carved 1,060 unique sculptures — each one a small but powerful act of restoration and creativity.
This month, we were especially proud to bring that purpose beyond the shoreline.
In partnership with Twende Tuk Tuk, our artisans created a series of vibrant, hand-carved tuk tuk sculptures in support of the upcoming Rhino Charge — a conservation initiative dedicated to protecting Kenya’s wildlife and landscapes. These one-of-a-kind pieces symbolize a journey from ocean to land, connecting marine conservation with the protection of terrestrial ecosystems.
Each tuk tuk is more than art — it’s a moving story of collaboration, craftsmanship, and conservation in action.
From flip-flops washed ashore to sculptures driving awareness across ecosystems, this is what it means to turn waste into purpose.
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