Is this not wonderful, American University of Nigeria’s Office of Sustainability is set to
place the institution in the Guinness Book of World Records (GWR) via
its unique waste-to-wealth management programme. On Friday, April 24, an
unprecedented 485 people ended 20 minutes of simultaneous crocheting,
using plastic yarn made from waste polythene.
The Most People Crocheting Simultaneously record, was achieved five years ago in New York City at a Stitch ‘N’ Pitch
event organised by the National Needlearts Association, at the Citi
Field stadium, New York during which 426 people crocheted for 15 minutes
using yarn. The unique thing about this event is the ecological twist
where the crocheters’ use plarn, the yarn made from used polythene bags.
Members
of Yola EcoSentials (YES), a group of female social entrepreneurs
promoted by AUN, took participants through the process before the
kick-off of the simultaneous crocheting. The event served to enlighten
the community about the university’s waste-to-wealth initiative.
The
group needlework was sponsored by the Student Government Association of
AUN, to sensitize residents of Yola, the Adamawa State capital about
the hazards of non-biodegradable litter. It was also aimed at surpassing
the current Guinness World Record held by Americans.
“We have yet
to receive official notice from the Guinness World Record
administrators who are based in the USA,” according to Jelena Zivkovic,
the Director of the AUN Learning Resource Center and coordinator of the
GWR committee. Ms. Zivkovic read out the rules of the competition and
urged the participants to adhere strictly to rules to avoid the AUN
attempt being disqualified. The activity ended at exactly 20 minutes.
There were external observers as witnesses.
“You can make money
from it,” says Jennifer Che, Co-ordinator of Sustainability Outreach
Programs and Laboratories. Chief Information Officer, Mr. Julius Ayuk
Tabe, representing the AUN President, Professor Margee Ensign at the
kick-off, said: “In the light of negative news coming from the
north-east, whenever the story of tenacity and togetherness is told,
your achievement today will be a reference. This is what your sense of
togetherness, teamwork, and can-do-it spirit has made possible today.”
The
GWR attempt was an illustration of AUN’s sustainability programs and
demonstrates commitment to challenging the status quo – getting AUN
students involved in world events by promoting recycling and
sustainability. In Yola, the lack of a conventional waste collection
system and bins/dumpsites is one of the main reasons residents dump
their waste (including grocery bags), and then burn it, causing a major
health hazard for humans and animals, including respiratory illnesses,
gastric problems, and shortened life expectancy.
The University
began a program some years ago to address local unemployment and this
environmental hazard. As a result, Yola women, under the auspices of
YES, have made waste plastic (plarn) into colourful,
eco-friendly accessories. “It is our hope,” says Ms. Che, “that this
event will raise awareness on how recycling our products, in this case, plarn, can keep the environment clean and healthy, and as well provide an income for the needy in the community.”
Source: PunchNg
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