Ninety mothers and caregivers at Kamutjonga village near Divundu in the Kavango East region have received reusable cloth nappy starter kits as part of an initiative aimed at reducing disposable nappy waste.
The Kavango Cares Reusable Cloth Nappy Project, launched by the Kavango Wilderness Project (KWP), seeks to provide families with an alternative to disposable nappies while helping them reduce household expenses.
The project was developed in response to concerns about disposable nappy waste at Kamutjonga and surrounding areas, including communities and environments connected to the Kavango River.
“By providing an alternative that can be washed and reused, we hope to reduce disposable nappy waste while potentially reducing the ongoing cost of nappies for families,” the KWP said last week.
The initiative, sponsored by Safarious, was launched on 16 September at Divundu. It aims to support healthier babies, reduce household costs and protect the environment by promoting sustainable alternatives to disposable nappies.
The 90 women attended their first training session last week, where they received practical guidance on how to use, wash and care for the reusable nappies.
The training also allowed the women to ask questions, share their experiences and learn from one another as they begin using the nappies at home.
The KWP said the group will meet monthly for continued training and support.
The project is currently focused on Kamutjonga, with plans to use lessons from the first phase to explore expanding the initiative to other communities along the Kavango River.
The KWP is a non-profit conservation organisation operating as a local entity of the Wild Bird Trust and focuses on protecting and managing the Kavango River ecosystem.
The project is expected to address both the environmental impact of disposable nappies and the financial burden they place on families.
