Nzambi Matee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nzambi Matee
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| Born | 19 September 1992 Nairobi Kenya
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| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Occupation | engineer, activist and environmentalist |
| Organization | Gjenge Makers |
| Known for | recycling plastic to make bricks |
Nzambi Matee, born on September 19, 1992, is a brilliant Kenyan engineer and environmentalist. She is also an inventor and a business owner. Nzambi is famous for her amazing idea of turning plastic waste into strong building bricks. Her work helps fight plastic pollution in Kenya. She started a company called Gjenge Makers in Nairobi, Kenya, to make these special bricks.
Contents
Nzambi's Journey to Innovation
Nzambi Matee studied physics and material engineering. She even worked as an engineer in Kenya's oil industry. But she had a bigger dream.
Starting a New Path
In 2017, Nzambi decided to leave her job. She wanted to focus on helping the environment. She was especially interested in managing waste. She set up a small lab in her mother's backyard. There, she began experimenting with making paving bricks.
Creating Stronger Bricks
Nzambi spent about a year testing different mixtures. She wanted to find the perfect way to make her bricks. In 2018, she successfully made her first brick from plastic waste. A year later, in 2019, she built her own machine. This machine could turn plastic waste into bricks on a large scale.
Overcoming Challenges
Her journey was not always easy. Her neighbors sometimes complained about the noisy machine. Nzambi was so focused on her mission that she even took a break from her social life for a year. She was determined to make her idea work.
Learning in the USA
Nzambi won a scholarship to study in the United States. She joined a special training program for social entrepreneurship. While in the USA, she used labs at the University of Colorado Boulder. This helped her test and improve her brick recipes. She made sure her bricks were as strong as possible.
Gjenge Makers: Turning Trash into Treasure
Nzambi Matee founded her company, Gjenge Makers, to recycle plastic waste. She used her skills in design thinking to build the company. She was inspired to start Gjenge Makers after seeing plastic bags scattered everywhere in Nairobi.
How Gjenge Makers Helps
Nzambi designed her own machines for the Gjenge Makers factory. By 2021, her factory had recycled about 20 tonnes of waste plastics. This amazing work helps clean up the environment. It also provides strong, sustainable building materials.
Global Recognition
Nzambi's efforts have been recognized worldwide. The United Nations Environment Programme honored her. She won the prestigious Young Champion of the Earth award for Africa in 2020. This award celebrates young people who are making a big difference for our planet.
Images for kids
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Nzambi Matee, a Kenyan engineer and environmentalist.
See also
In Spanish: Nzambi Matee para niños
