G-lish was the organisation that discovered how to transform pure water plastic bags into twine that could be used, like straw has been, to weave beautiful objects. As of October 2012, G-lish has used 210,400 plastic bags in basket production since 2010.
G-lish also decided to plant one tree for every basket produced, inspired by Wangari Maathai’s Greenbelt Movement. To date this is 718 trees: neem, mango, moringa, cashew and mahogany.
G-lish also runs Green Clubs with three local schools. The clubs now have 110 students from those schools who regularly attend classes. The clubs focus on action planning and leadership, as well as climate change and environmental seminars conducted over a 10 week period.
Basket maker planting mango seedling
Basketmaker and environment
This is the dry season, when the first crop of Bolga baskets were produced using plastic and cloth, as you can see here.
Two things are obvious from this picture:
1. Plastic is littered everywhere in this environment.
2. A great need for more trees.
Basket makers’ children help plant mango seedlings
Imagine doing something you never dreamed possible, in a place you didn't even know existed until now? G-lish Foundation operates an international volunteer program based in Bolgatanga, in the Upper East Region.
