I, Daniel W. Flomo, grew up watching this cycle repeat itself — the dirt, the smoke from burning waste, and the silent acceptance that “this is just how things are.” But deep inside, I couldn’t accept that. I believed we could live differently. I believed that young people like me could change the story.

In 2020, together with a few determined friends, I decided to take action. We had no vehicles, no funding, and no big offices — only our hands, our energy, and our love for our community. We began by cleaning our streets, collecting waste door to door, and speaking to neighbors about the dangers of open dumping. Many laughed at us at first, but others joined, and slowly, something powerful began to grow — hope.