On August 12, 2023, the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) celebrated International Youth Day with the theme “Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World.” Young people from across the Niger Delta came together in Warri, Delta State, for three days of hands-on training. They learned practical skills such as installing solar panels, recycling plastics, and upcycling skills that not only support environmental sustainability but also open up opportunities for economic empowerment.

Among the participants was Imonieroh Edesiri, a psychologist, community builder, and aspiring circular economist. She entered the training as one of many young people eager to learn. What she achieved was a vision that would later transform lives in her community.

Bringing a Vision to Life

For the first time, Edesiri saw upcycling not just as a way to handle waste, but as a tool to empower people. She left the training wondering, “What if children could learn these skills early? What if waste could be the starting point for confidence, teamwork, and hope in her community?”

That question laid the foundation for My Bright Future Safe Space, and not long after, the Summer Upcycle School was established.

Transforming Waste into Skills

In 2024, barely a year after the training, Imonieroh and her team of nine volunteers launched the first edition of Summer Upcycle School at Igbudu Primary School in Warri. In partnership with the Global Shapers Community, Warri Hub, and Green Knowledge Foundation, they brought together 35 children from underserved backgrounds, encouraging them to turn discarded bottles, tires, and fabrics into useful products.

With guidance from professional upcyclers, the children created 50 eco-friendly items—such as stools, ottomans, and storage solutions. But more than just the products, they gained something even more valuable: discipline, resilience, and the confidence that they could develop solutions for their community.

Stories of Transformation: Goodluck Odoroke

One of the most inspiring stories to emerge from SUS was that of 13-year-old Goodluck Odoroke. Every morning, he sold puff puff at Enerhen Junction to support his family. But as soon as his tray was empty, he’d rush—still covered in flour—to join the training. At Summer Upcycle School, Goodluck learned that his mornings at the junction didn’t define his future. Using scissors, bottles, and fabric, he crafted not only furniture but also confidence in himself. His story became a powerful reminder that with access and opportunity, even a kid from the busiest street corner can rise above hardship.

Expanding Beyond the Program

Following the success of its first edition, My Bright Future Safe Space launched the second edition of the Summer Upcycle School (SUS) in August 2025, turning the holiday break into a platform for creativity, skill development, and community building. This edition not only reached more children but also expanded the program’s impact across the Niger Delta.

Safe Space meetings are now held weekly instead of monthly, providing consistent mentorship and support. The items children created not only decorated safe spaces and community events but were also sold to raise funds for their education—showing that creativity can inspire both opportunity and hope.

How One Opportunity Can Have a Ripple Effect

Edesiri’s journey proves that when young people are given opportunities to learn, they significantly expand their impact beyond themselves. What she gained as a participant at PIND’s International Youth Day in 2023 has been transformed into a legacy of empowerment for dozens of children in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria.

Today, she stands not only as a beneficiary of PIND’s work but also as someone making a difference in her community and inspiring others to do the same, pushing the limits of what can be achieved when skills, vision, and service come together.

A Call to Action

The Summer Upcycle School (SUS) goes beyond teaching skills; it is about rewriting the stories of children in underserved communities across the Niger Delta. By transforming waste into useful creations, these children are discovering their potential, building confidence, and embracing education as a doorway to a brighter tomorrow.

To sustain this vision and expand its reach, we welcome partnerships with government institutions, private organizations, and individuals committed to investing in the future of the Niger Delta.

📩 Get Involved

Phone: 0813 132 7055

Email: mbfsafespaces@gmail.com

Every hand extended, every resource shared, and every commitment made brings us closer to raising a generation empowered to dream, to innovate, and to lead lasting change in the Niger Delta.