Take out the Trash

Zimmedar Shehri’s first project, and perhaps its most well known, was an instant success in Pakistan.  Starting with just 4 boys, the movement now attracts hundreds of people across the country to join in the cause, and has inspired other such movements in many cities.

Using Facebook as a platform for like minded individuals to converge, debate and discuss, a group was created and friends were invited from all over the country and abroad. Soon, the number of people showing up every Sunday to pick up trash in various market places grew to record numbers.

The basic idea behind the trash project was to inspire people, not only by talk, but by action. We realized that the ‘all talk no action’ attitude of the people would never change unless someone took initiative. We decided to do just that. In March of 2009, accompanied by our friends we set out for Ghalib Market and sweeped it clean. The media arrived instantly and spread the message far and wide. Soon we were on the news, on morning shows, on radio, on paper, and within a few weeks had made it to the headlines of the New York Times. This not only gave us the momentum that we needed but also gave us credibility while approaching the bureaucracy and Government regarding proposals to improve the cleanliness of cities.

We worked with DCO Sajjad Bhutta and DO Solid waste management Mudassir Waheed- with their whole hearted co operation we got bins placed in various market places, with public awareness drives every Sunday.

Our movement spread to 6 cities.

What YOU can do as a Summer Intern and later on, if interested and selected, in an administrative post:

1) Pressure local and provincial Government to take necessary steps towards cleanliness in various market places.

2) Recruit more people towards the cause.

3) Visit different cities to help set up the chapters there.

4) Talk to various sponsors regarding bins and other ideas your team comes up with.

5) Become a Zimmedar Shehri team leader in your area.