The Flipflopi Dhows Expeditions
From hosting high-level policymakers to communities in remote islands, flipflopi has the power to convene people with a powerful, positive and hopeful message!
Lamu Archipelago 2022
Despite being home to some of the world's lowest plastic-emitting countries, Western Indian Ocean (WIO) countries receive more than 97,000 tonnes of plastic each year and due to the nature of currents in the Lamu Archipelago, much of it ends up deep in the mangrove forests.
Through this expedition, we conducted a baseline study to better understand the nature, level and types of plastics so that we can inform effective intervention strategies including our MRF and mangrove restoration project in Siyu.
LAKE VICTORIA 2021
Lake Victoria supports over 40 million people living in 3 countries (Kenya, Tanzania & Uganda) and is one of East Africa’s shared natural resources under increasing threat of plastic pollution highlighting the importance of taking coordinated urgent action across the East African Community.
This expedition over 4 weeks circumnavigated the lake carrying out research and engaging lakeside communities in 10 major events across key cities and small islands bringing on board commitments from the Queen of Buganda, Governor of Kisumu County, CEO of Mwanza City Council and a news coverage of 100+ features from regional, national and international media outlets. This expedition also sparked the beginning of 2 regional #plasticrevolutions, a neighbourhood up-cycling art hub in Kampala - Plastik Talks and an eco-resource centre in Mwanza, Tanzania.
UNEA-4 2019
This time, the Flipflopi’s journey was different and aboard a truck, we headed to the UN Environment’s 4th assembly under the theme ‘Innovative Solutions for Environmental Challenges and Sustainable Consumption and Production,’ positioning Flipflopi in front of dignitaries, private sector representatives, and media correspondents as a colourful and immediate example of what is possible when you think about plastic as re-usable.
LAMU - ZANZIBAR 2019
Backed by UNEP Clean Seas Initiative, the Flipflopi set sail on the first overseas expedition in January 2019, travelling 500kms from Lamu to Zanzibar to raise awareness about marine plastic pollution.
This 2 week expedition stopped by 12 communities organising 7 events and convening thousands of people in practical recycling workshops, clean-ups and presentations, building long-term community networks to address plastic pollution locally.
Upon our arrival, the Zanzibar government, together with 39 local businesses and tour operators said “Yes, we are ready to stop the use of single-use plastic and conserve our environment.” and we are glad, today, the same communities continue to steward, innovate and advocate for our home, planet Earth.
EXPEDITION BLOGS
exped playlist
EXPED PARTNERS
