Posted by Peggy Strom on Oct 30, 2022
Paul McCreight provided today's Member Minute.  Paul grew up in Iowa, which provided his first and worst job - on a farm painting pipes in the summer heat.  He views his current job as a financial advisor for Edward Jones as his best job.   Today's speaker joined us via Zoom from Zambia, Africa.  Anay Mathur, nephew of Anoop Mathur is a 7th grade student who has accomplished much in his short life.  Observing significant plastic waste piling up in the nearby Zambezi River, Anay launched a clean-up effort.  The Zambezi River is the 4th longest river in Africa and is best known as the source of Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of The World and a World Heritage Site.  However, it is also notable for the amount of plastic waste floating in its waters.  The problem has arisen largely because that area of Zambia lacks a dependable system of trash removal so people feel free to toss plastic and other waste into the river.  Anay launched a clean-up effort and got financial support from local businesses, including a recycling company.  His project raised $7,500 and led to a second drive which was even more successful.  Funds will be used to continue clean-up efforts.  Anay's father joined the discussion and noted that village participants received rewards to encourage ongoing behavior change to hopefully prevent trash from continuing to accumulate in the river.