In the heart of Noonu Atoll, the island of Lhohi stands as a testament to the power of community and creativity, whilst the story of Lhohi’s upcycling workspace is one of resilience and innovation. Inspired by the success of the Joanna Toole Ghost Gear Project, where we worked with fishermen from the island of Gemanafushi to retrieve ghost nets from the ocean, IPNLF set out to replicate the model on the island of Lhohi. Partnering with the Olive Ridley Project (ORP), Zero Waste Maldives (ZWM), and Lhohi Council we aimed to activate the island’s fishers to remove nets they encounter. However, the fishermen of Lhohi did not come across many viable opportunities to retrieve ghost nets and bring them back to their island. Additionally, many fishers had begun moving to other jobs as handline fishing became less profitable due to declining catches. As the first year passed with no ghost net retrievals and the number of active fishing vessels on the island dwindled from four to one, it became clear that the project’s focus needed to shift.
In collaboration with Lhohi School, the Women’s Development Committee, and local NGOs, we organised a beach-combing initiative. Our team, alongside dedicated volunteers, set out to clean the pristine shores of “Hunandhumaa Vattaru,” a beautiful uninhabited island in Noonu Atoll. The cleanup was a resounding success, with over four jumbo bags of trash collected and two ghost nets retrieved from the island’s vulnerable coastline. The team was inspired by the enthusiasm and environmental stewardship demonstrated by the Lhohi community.
Following the beach cleanup, we convened a meeting with all stakeholders to chart the next steps for the evolving project. Recognising the potential of Lhohi’s supportive community, we decided to continue the environmental journey and increase our impact by upcycling. We envisioned a space where waste materials could be transformed into something new and valuable. This space would reduce waste and foster creativity and love for the environment.
The grand opening of the Lhohi Upcycling Workspace was a moment of pride for the entire community. In a ceremony held at the school hall, attended by students, stakeholders, and council members, the project partners introduced the workspace and the concept of upcycling to the island. After the opening, spirits were high as everyone made their way to the newly established facility, where they were treated to an information session about ghost gear and its impacts, finishing the day with a bracelet-making session crafting pieces from the very ghost nets that threaten their reefs.
The following day the community and school came together once more, this time to create the name board for the upcycling workspace. Using waste materials and the tools provided, they created a sign that was more than just a nameplate: it was a symbol of Lhohi’s unwavering commitment to sustainability. This dedication to sustainable practices should serve as an inspiration to all who hear the story of Lhohi’s journey from waste to wealth.
The journey in Lhohi is far from over. With the community’s support and the dedication of the project partners, the upcycling workspace is set to inspire even more projects, ideas, and solutions. As each new product emerges from the workspace, it carries with it the story of a community that chose to make a difference—one upcycled piece at a time.
