Why young Mozambicans are building homes from bottles

In northeastern Mozambique, a project called Yopipila – meaning “green” in the local Emakua language – is helping young people turn waste into opportunity. Supported by the Hakuna Matata Foundation, participants in Cabo Delgado learn eco-friendly bioconstruction techniques using discarded plastic and glass bottles, bamboo, earth and recycled tyres to build community facilities. The training promotes sustainable construction while creating skills and green income opportunities in a region with limited jobs and little recycling infrastructure. For many participants, the project offers both environmental solutions and a pathway to a more secure future.