In the bustling city of Mombasa, Nusra Juria is making waves as the founder of Project MILA, a pioneering venture in organic waste management. Her innovative enterprise transforms organic waste into valuable resources, demonstrating a sustainable approach to tackling environmental challenges. Among the notable products from her project are frass, a natural fertilizer highly valued by farmers, and black soldier flies, which have a myriad of applications, from pest control to nutritional supplements for animals like cows and dogs. Nusra’s ambitions also stretch into the cosmetic industry, where she envisions harnessing the potential of black soldier flies to produce makeup, lipsticks, and other beauty products.
The path to establishing Project MILA faced numerous obstacles, particularly in its early stages. Nusra had to navigate the daunting task of securing funding while juggling her academic commitments. She initially funded the project from her savings and started small, collecting household waste from just two houses and one vendor.
However, the most significant challenge was communicating her vision to the local community. Nusra vividly remembers a man questioning why a ‘pretty girl’ like her would involve herself in something as ‘dirty’ as waste management, even suggesting that there might be ‘financial problems at home’ driving her to such ‘unwelcome’ work for a woman in her community.
Despite these disparaging comments and prevalent societal attitudes, Nusra stood firm, propelled by her passion and the unwavering support of her mentor. The pressures of developing Project MILA were immense, often leading to periods of deep depression. Nusra’s mother, concerned for her daughter’s well-being, once urged her to abandon the project, fearing it was a futile endeavor.
Struggling to see a path forward and lacking sufficient funding, Nusra was on the brink of despair. It was during this low point that she stumbled upon the IRIS Prize Project online, a discovery that marked a pivotal moment in her journey after receiving a crucial funding grant. For Nusra, waste is far from mere trash; it represents a treasure trove of untapped potential. She believes in unlocking this potential to benefit the environment and the community by converting waste into nutrients and frass. As a young entrepreneur, she is a beacon of empowerment for her peers and the wider community, regardless of age or gender.
Her commitment extends to uplifting youth, women, men, and even older people. With a background in Public Health, Nusra also provides health education to the elderly, promoting disease prevention as a proactive measure before medical intervention arises. Her holistic approach addresses waste management and encompasses broader health and wellness initiatives within her community. Nusria says the workshop on gender mainstreaming by Sustainable Inclusive Business under KEPSA has been invaluable. By providing empowerment opportunities for young women, she believes we can positively influence their lives and families, potentially delaying early marriages, another backward culture in her community.
In a world where gender biases and societal norms often limit women’s potential, Nusra Juria’s story is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and passion. She demonstrates how one woman’s unwavering commitment can overcome societal biases and transform challenges into opportunities through Project MILA. Her vision extends beyond immediate achievements, aiming to create a sustainable and inclusive environment where waste is valued as a resource, and every community member is empowered to contribute to and benefit from this transformation. It is also about redefining possibilities and inspiring future generations to pursue their ambitions, regardless of their obstacles.
