Top: Winners of the European Union Delegation in Liberia\u2019s recycling competition for young people. The DayLight\/Esau J. Farr<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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By Esau J. Farr<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
MONROVIA \u2013 The European Union (EU) Delegation in Liberia has awarded young innovators in recycling plastic waste to create a safer environment. The ceremony took place over the weekend at the EU\u2019s Embassy in Monrovia after interactive demonstrations by five finalists showing how to turn waste into reusable products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Rise and Recycle Competition is more than just a contest. It is a movement,\u201d said Nona Deprez, EU Ambassador to Liberia. \u201cWe are proud to celebrate the creativity and dedication of young participants who are driving tangible change in our communities and inspiring everyone to take action for the environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The competition was launched in June this year to support innovative recycling activities among youths at the community, school, and individual levels. It challenged participants across the country to develop creative solutions for waste management, recycling, and environmental conservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dozens of youths began the competition, but it was Archie Forpoh, founder of Ignite EcoGear and Orange Liberia Digital trainer, who won first place. \u00a0Annita Zenneh and Nelson Kialen took the second and third places, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forpoh was given a tablet, a phone and a certificate of participation with a three-month internship at the United Nations Development Program. Zenneh and Nenwon each walked away with a cellphone, a certificate and a three-month internship at EverGreen Recycling Institute and the Environmental Protection Agency, respectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking to The DayLight on the margins of the ceremony, Forpoh relished his achievement as the competition\u2019s first-place winner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWorking with the UN is one of my dreams,\u201d he said. \u201cSeeing it coming to light as an intern is something I think that will help push me to another level.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forpoh, who recently competed in Kenya, said he presented the same idea at a competition and was widely regarded among his peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am going to make use of the three months there and add to my experience to improve my institution,\u201d he added. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Zenneh and Kialen, it was a great moment and an achievement to be announced as the second and third-place winners among the five finalists.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is such an amazing feeling and the best for me right now in the world,\u201d Zenneh said. \u201cI am hoping to experience more while working with EverGreen in the next three months to get a broader knowledge of how to manage and transform waste into things that are beneficial to us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The internship program for the competition winners will begin in January next year, according to the EU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n