The agriculture-based village of Njau is situated in rural Gambia, far from cities and access to modern commodities. Ten years ago, this village was covered in trash, especially due to the introduction of the plastic bag, which many livestock would eat and die from.

The Njau Recycling and Income Generating Group (NRIGG) began in 1997, in conjunction with a Peace Corps initiative (American Peggy Sedlack and Gambian native Isatou Ceesay), to find creative solutions to devastating problems such as waste management and low income levels in rural Gambia. Five women learned how to recycle the plastic trash and began the clean up effort and earned a little extra money for their time.

Today, over 69 women have been taught the skill of recycling plastic bags into colorful purses, and many have also learned other traditional skills such as tie dye and beadwork.

The women also receive literacy training, free financial planning and savings account boxes, and are able to work at their own pace in their own homes. In addition to increasing their income by over 300%, the women have gained a sense of confidence, community, and hope for the future. Most of the women, although they have never been to school, are using the income from the sale of purses to ensure their girls and boys are able to attend school.

With a volunteer Gambian staff and a clean village, the project has had a large impact on the immediate environment, but many of the women are still living below the poverty line. Recently, Worldgoods introduced the World of Good Fair Wage Guide and the women have been able to raise the price of each purse and are also considering ways to reduce the time per piece so each woman has the opportunity to earn an income that affords their families an even higher standard of living. Worldgoods is also contributing an extra $1 for every purse sold at retail price to a special development fund for the center in Njau.

About the Recycled Purses

The recycled plastic coin purse is the cooperative’s signature item. Made of durable crocheted recycled plastic in an assortment of bright colors, each has a zip closure and is fully functional as well as beautifully hand crafted. One purse is made up of about 10 shopping-size plastic bags.

Each item is tagged with the name of the woman who created it, and when purchased in The Gambia the money is given directly to the maker. If the item is purchased outside of The Gambia, the woman has already been paid in advance.

Each woman contributes a small percentage (usually less than 5%) to help keep the cooperative’s services and skills training available to all.

Read more specific stories and meet the women by clicking here.

Support the women of Njau and the effort to clean up The Gambia by buying their products in our store.