RCE Buea - 2019

Using 3 D Printing to address Youth Unemployment and Plastic Pollution in the West Coast of Cameroon.
CSV
Basic Information
Title of project : 
Using 3 D Printing to address Youth Unemployment and Plastic Pollution in the West Coast of Cameroon.
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Buea
Contributing organization(s) : 
Green Cameroon
Association of Linux Friends
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Masango Sone
Organizational Affiliation: 
Green Cameroon
E-mail: 
info@greencameroon.org
Name: 
Lucien Keng
Organizational Affiliation: 
Association of Linux Friends
E-mail: 
luciennkeng@gmail.com
Format of project: 
Powerpoint
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Friday, May 10, 2019
Web link: 
www.greencameroon.org
Does this project link to any education and/or sustainable development policy or policies?: 
Yes
N/A
At what level is the policy operating?: 
National
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Africa and Middle East
Country: 
Cameroon
Location(s): 
Buea, Limbe, Kumba, Muyuka
Address of focal point institution for project: 
Green Cameroon, Up Court, Buea Town Green Stadium, Buea, Cameroon
Ecosystem(s):
Coastal, Forest, Mountain
Target Audience:
Community, Higher, Youth (Informal)
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
The West Coast District is located in the Fako Division of the South West Region of Cameroon. This Municipality includes ten villages: Etome, Bakingili, Makala, Njonji, Isobe, Bebunde, San je, Kosse I, Kosse II, Enyenge, and eight Cameroon Development Corporation (CDC) camps; Wete Wete, Isongo, Debundscha, Njonji Camp, Idenau, Scipio, Rechtsfluss and Soden. With a population above 50.000 inhabitances, this coastal region is made up of a conglomerate of ethnic groups, comprising of natives and a significant proportion of immigrants from other regions. The main economic activity of the people is fishing for both local use and exportation.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
Unsustainable exploitation practices like the use of dynamite and other harmful and poisonous chemicals to kill fish, non use of homologated fishing nets and general misuse of coastal shores for dumping of all kind of waste and defecation are common practices in these communities. Apart from the huge quantity of waste dumped by inland communities, this areas also receives a constant chunk of maritime waste, (Most of Which is plastic) coming from all over. The area is also plagued with high unemployment rate, low living standards and general economic hardship.
Contents
Status: 
Ongoing
Period: 
January, 2019
Rationale: 
The project takes advantage of the opportunities offered by 3 D printing to address issues of plastic pollution, youth unemployment and underdevelopment that currently characterizes communities of the West Coast Region. Innovation brought in by 3 D printing actually offers Africans and Cameroonians the possibility of transforming themselves from consumers to producers and take charge of their economic lives to a greater extent. 3 D printers are actually able to print out not only 2 D characters like other printers but also live objects that can be used in various ways. With Recent development in ICT and the 3 D world the possibilities are limitless, ranging from cars, houses to human parts are now being printed. Through the project, youths and community members of this region will be able to make use of the abundant plastic waste around them by transforming it to tangible 3 D printed items for diverse use. It is expected that after full implementation of this project, the designing, manufacturing and other related industries will be boosted and Cameroonians will actually be able to produce some of the basic goods and equipments they have so far been importing from more industrialized countries.
Objectives: 
- Address youth unemployment and poor living conditions in the region
- Reduce the problem of plastic pollution which is currently a nightmare
- Boost the Design and Manufacturing industry in the area
- Teach youths and community members how to do 3D designs and use 3D printers
Activities and/or practices employed: 
- Identification of potential project stakeholders and partners
- Development of a business plan
- Building of a 3D printer
- Sensitization tour to communities and higher education institutions with the 3D printer
- Workshops and Seminars on 3D printing related skills and opportunities
- Formation of a 3D printing community in the area
- Creation of a 3D printing space in some communities
Size of academic audience: 
We are hoping to reach more than 100 communities and 25 higher education institutions with this project
Results: 
- Train at least 25 communities and schools on 3D designing and printing
- Created at least 5 3D printing spaces in the region
- Contributed to the reduction of youth unemployment in the region through creation capacity building
- Addressed the issue of plastic waste and maritime pollution in the area
- Boost the manufacturing and design sectors in the region
Lessons learned: 
We are currently facing challenges of credibility as it is a totally new concept around us and most people can not even imagine the possibilities that are involved. We therefore need to demystify the concept and get the participation of communities and youths
Key messages: 
We seek to produce the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs in Africa who will take Africa and Cameroon to the next level using the opportunities presented by 3D printing.
Funding: 
We currently have an NGO called Active Spaces which works with the US embassy. They are willing to assist financially with the Construction of the first printer and the establishment of a 3D printing space after an incubation period.

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon 3 D Printouts. REC Buea.jpg (106.78 KB) Real time objects printed out using the 3 D Printer Linux Friends
Image icon 3 D Printouts. REC Buea1 .jpg (97.72 KB) Real time objects printed out using the 3 D Printer Linux Friends
Image icon 3 D Printouts. REC Buea2.jpg (57.39 KB) Representatives of the various groups working on the project Green Cameroon
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere 
Direct
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Indirect
SDG 6 - Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 
Direct
SDG 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all 
Direct
SDG 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation 
Direct
SDG 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 
Direct
SDG 15 - Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and reverse land degradation, and halt biodiversity loss 
Direct
Theme
Waste 
Direct
Global Action Programme (GAP) on Education for Sustainable Development – Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
Direct
Priority Action Area 4 - Empowering and mobilizing youth 
Direct
Update: 
No