Recognising that waste management is an important environmental issue, which requires practical understanding beyond the classroom, on the 20th of August 2026, Children in the Wilderness Botswana (CITW) organised an educational tour to Fanmoj Enterprise for the Shashe Eco-Club members and their Co-ordinators. During the excursion, learners gained valuable first-hand experience of how waste is managed, separated, processed, and prepared for recycling.
Waste management is a significant global environmental concern, with increasing volumes of waste posing challenges to communities, ecosystems, and human well-being. Addressing these challenges requires effective mitigation measures, as well as increased awareness and active participation from communities, particularly young people.
During the tour, the children were taken to the waste separation area, where different types of recyclable waste are sorted according to their categories. The separated materials are then stored in large sacks before being compressed into bales. The bales are carefully packed and prepared for transportation to South Africa, where they undergo further processing and recycling. This practical demonstration helped learners understand that waste can be recovered and transformed into useful materials rather than simply being disposed of.
The learners were also introduced to some of the recycling initiatives currently being undertaken by Fanmoj Enterprise. At present, the enterprise is processing glass bottles by crushing the glass and using the resulting material to mould bricks. This demonstrated to the children how materials that are often regarded as waste can be repurposed into useful products, contributing to waste reduction and promoting a circular approach to resource use.
The visit provided learners with an opportunity to move beyond theoretical learning and observe the entire waste management process in a real-world setting. It strengthened their understanding of waste separation, recycling, reuse, and responsible disposal, while also demonstrating the potential economic and environmental value of effective waste management.
This field trip to Fanmoj Enterprise has served as an important component of CITW’s experiential environmental education approach. It has enabled learners to connect classroom knowledge with practical conservation activities and encouraged them to take greater responsibility for waste management within their schools, homes, and communities. Through such experiences, CITW continues to inspire children to become environmentally responsible citizens and active champions of conservation.
Compiled By Kelebogile ‘Kelly’ Baitshoki, CITW Botswana Administrator
