24/02/2026
With Valemu Alinafe
I firmly believe that you don’t need money to start something meaningful you only need passion, creativity, and action. My journey began in 2024 at Phwezi Technical College , where I am currently a Teveta Level 2 General Fitting student. Even with zero capital, I wanted to show that it’s possible to create something that makes a real difference in our communities and the environment.
I started with experiments, thinking about products I could make manually from wastes using locally available resources. After I did my experiments, My first success was a plastic brick from waste plastics collected from campus and surrounding communities. This simple prototype proved that waste can be transformed into durable, eco-friendly, and valuable materials. Inspired by this, I expanded into other practical products like eco-baskets, school learning materials, fire briquettes, and art pieces made manually using the skills I was learning at college and past experiences
I showcased my idea to The Principal of Phwezi Technical College Madam Longwe and our teacher Mr.Steven Nyasulu to explain to them my vision, after then I I was Encouraged to continue my work. What I started as a small experiment became a student-led model of innovation, inspiring others in Malawi and beyond to think creatively about environmental solutions.
In January 2024, I founded the Waste Management Campaign, which later changed to to the Green Innovations Center (GIC). Officially registered on 18 July 2025, GIC now transforms waste into meaningful products and empowers youth, while promoting environmental sustainability all built from zero capital, local resources, and hands-on skills.
Even though I am still a student, my vision is bigger than today. When I will finish college, my plan to establish a fully equipped, large-scale Green Innovations Center company, capable of mass-producing eco-friendly products, training youth, and creating sustainable employment opportunities. I dream of a center that will be a hub for innovation, environmental solutions, and wealth creation in Malawi.
From this journey, I have learned that action, creativity, and persistence are more important that can help young people like myself to ean money.
I agree with Mr. Benedicto Bena Nkhoma- Inspirational and Motivational it is true that using locally available resources and our skills, we can start something meaningful that grows into real impact.
Your ideas matter, your actions matter—start now, start small, and keep dreaming big! 💪