Story & Background
Story
Operation 232’s Founder, Sylvester Weekes grew up in the Tengbeh town Community in Freetown, Sierra Leone. It was a unique experience. Despite being one of the biggest informal settlement areas, the community was filled with warmth, friendly faces, and a strong sense of togetherness. However, alongside this beauty, he also witnessed the harsh realities of natural disasters caused by climate change due to improper waste management and the cutting down of trees.
One of the most devastating events Sylvester experienced was the mudflow that struck Sierra Leone on August 14, 2017. The relentless rainfall triggered a catastrophic mudslide that claimed the lives of over 1,000 individuals and displaced thousands more. Witnessing this tragedy firsthand deeply impacted him and stirred a strong desire in him to take action to ensure environmental preservation and global sustainability. Instead of feeling defeated, Sylvester saw this as an opportunity to make a difference. He realized the urgent need to address the underlying factors contributing to such climatic disasters and committed himself to initiatives that promote resilience and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Our team at Operation 232 has embraced this vision. Through education, community engagement, and advocacy, we tirelessly raise awareness about proper waste management, the importance of environmental protection, and the adoption of sustainable practices. Our shared mission is to foster a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature, and to work to prevent future disasters that could devastate Tengbeh Town and other communities. Despite the immense challenges, the resilience and determination of community members fuel our efforts. Together, we are dedicated to driving meaningful change, creating a brighter and safer future for Tengbeh Town Community, Freetown, Sierra Leone and beyond.
Background
Plastic pollution is a major challenge facing underdeveloped and developing countries in Africa due to a lack of appropriate waste management. As a result, during rainy seasons, discarded plastic debris is transported by rain water into waterways, rivers, and drainage systems. Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone, is struggling with the growing inflow of plastic waste. Waste management is at a very basic level or non-existent. It is estimated that Sierra Leone produces over 130,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually, of which 84% of this is mismanaged. Institutional capacities in the Solid Waste Management (SWM) sector, control, and law enforcement mechanisms are weak. Waste generation is expected to surpass 1,000 tonnes per day in 2030 and 2,000 tonnes per day in 2050, assuming that no measures are taken to curb demographic growth and waste generation. One of the most visible impacts can be seen at the Aberdeen Lagoon (Sea), a major hotspot where large amounts of plastic waste from across the Freetown accumulates and is subsequently washed away by the tides each day into the Atlantic Ocean, contributing to global marine pollution. This growing crisis threatens ecosystems, public health, livelihoods, and the long-term resilience of coastal communities.
