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Shillong: When Jefferson Kynjing started cleaning his neighbourhood in the city’s Laitumkhrah locality, little did he know that his initiative would provide employment and help several poor people.
Kynjing’s Project Clean Surroundings started in 2016 and got registered with the Shillong Municipal Board in 2018. “My wife, children, and I were always in the habit of picking up plastic waste, such as wrappers and PET bottles, littered on the road. "But an accident made me think about this seriously,” said Kynjing.
About six years back, Kynjing averted an accident by a whisker at Polo football ground where his son was playing. He stepped on a PET bottle and almost slipped off the staircase. “I could have had a serious injury. This incident prompted me to convert the habit into a project that would help my neighbours,” he recollected.
Project Clean Surroundings started as a single man’s initiative and later gained steam as more people joined Kynjing, now 48. He involved local youths from economically backward families and those who were sinking into alcoholism.
Pynshngain Khongsngi (29) is a trained carpenter but got into alcoholism. He joined Kynjing in 2016 and has been helping him since then. “I do not drink in the morning anymore as I am busy with this project that is helping me earn something. Earlier, I did not have a proper job. But more than money, the satisfaction of doing this is immense. I feel that I am contributing to society and the environment in some way,” said Khongsngi.
Initially, people would voluntarily join Kynjing in picking up trash. “But then I thought that these people, most of whom were jobless, need incentives to continue their good work. I started paying them a monthly honorarium from our earnings from the waste,” Kynjing said.
The project team has also got a vehicle from the Shillong Municipal Board. Though started a neighbourhood initiative, the team now goes around the city and on its outskirts, including forests and riversides, to collect waste. To date, Kynjing and his team have collected about 433 tonnes of dry waste and earn about Rs 30,000-40,000 a month. This money is used in paying 2-3 volunteers, maintenance of the vehicle, fuel and food for the team members.
Besides, Kynjing also saves some amount to invest in small-scale organic farming and animal husbandry. His wife, Tiapokla Jamir Kynjing, who is an award-winning entrepreneur, is a constant support.
“We are growing over 10 varieties of vegetables and herbs and invested in piggery and poultry. We usually do not sell the vegetables but give when people ask for anything,” said Kynjing.
The couple also uses the money earned from selling waste for philanthropy.
Jamir, who has won a national award for entrepreneurship, makes pickles, bakery, and decoration items but specialises in Naga pickles. Her annual income is around a lakh and uses the money to support the project.
Though the project has spread wings beyond Laitumkhrah, there is no funding from the government. Kynjing said at times it becomes difficult to meet the expenses and pay the volunteers but government schemes have barely come his way.
On using technology to reach out to more people, Kynjing said, “I am not quite conversant with technology. Yes, a mobile app would have helped in connecting with people but I do not have the resources to hire a person for developing it.”
Despite the hindrances, Project Clean Surroundings has become an exemplary move by a single citizen and is helping a group of poor but educated youths to do productive work. Kynjing and Jamir have proved that waste can be turned into treasure and can be a source of livelihood for many.
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