On June 5th, in celebration of World Environment Day, Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation (JMKF) in partnership with TAI Tanzania, we conducted a special school visit to Dunda Secondary School in Bagamoyo. The event was anchored on this year’s global theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution” aiming to inspire action and awareness on the pressing issue of plastic waste in our environment.
Plastic pollution is a global crisis, with an estimated 400 million tonnes of plastic waste produced every year. Approximately 19 to 23 million tonnes of this waste enter aquatic ecosystems annually, equivalent to 2,000 garbage trucks dumping waste into oceans, rivers, and lakes every single day. In 2019, single-use plastics (such as bottles and bags) accounted for 88% of global plastic pollution. Most of this pollution originates from land-based activities, including urban wastewater and industrial processes.
Central to the school visit was the screening of our award-winning animation Baharimania to 453 students, a thought-provoking film that explores the devastating effects of plastic pollution on our oceans. Baharimania tells the story of a student named Anzi, a young marine scientist who fights to protect her community’s environment from plastic pollution.
“The flooding scenes reminded me of what happened in our region last year. I didn’t realize it was connected to climate change – I thought it was just bad weather.” (Male student)
For the students of Dunda, the film was more than entertainment—it was an eye-opener. The screening sparked reflection and discussion among the young audience, many of whom had never considered the long-term consequences of single-use plastics. For JMKF, this event reflected our commitment to raising awareness through innovative and youth-centred approaches. The power of storytelling allowed us to engage students not just intellectually, but emotionally bridging the gap between knowledge and action.
“Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete Foundation and TAI Tanzania came to teach us about caring for the environment, especially the ocean and to minimize the use of plastics. We have watched Baharimania, a film which shows how the ocean creatures are being affected by the plastics we throw in the ocean.” said Abdulrahman Mbwana Msinga, a Form Three A student. “Apart from that, they have also given us dustbins to throw waste, and they were categorized so that we don’t mix plastic waste with solid waste.”
After the screening, a brief interactive session was held where students shared their impressions and brainstormed ways their school and community could contribute to reducing plastic waste. Ideas ranged from starting recycling initiatives to organizing beach clean-up campaigns along Bagamoyo’s coast.
“The animation inspired me to start an environmental club at my school. We need to educate more students about these issues.” (Male student)
When the interactive session came to a halt, five dustbins were donated to the school, and they were categorized. From plastic waste, solid waste, paper waste and food waste. The headmaster of Dunda Secondary School accepted the dustbins with gratitude and spoke on the importance of school visits and educating the younger generations on the effects of plastic since they are the future.
Through the power of storytelling, Baharimania succeeded in planting a seed of environmental responsibility among Dunda’s youth. By aligning art with education and action, JMKF and TAI continue to demonstrate how meaningful partnerships can shape the next generation of environmental champions.
At JMKF, we believe real change starts with awareness and grows through collaboration. Through our partnership with TAI and the students of Dunda Secondary, we are proud to continue supporting initiatives that not only inform but also equip young Tanzanians to protect the future of their environment.
“This animation should be shown in every school in Tanzania. More young people need to see this.” (Female student)
Together, we can and must beat plastic pollution—one student, one community, and one action at a time.
