Abstract:
Mindsets are powerful forces in people’s lives and can be difficult to change. Africa faces severe environmental challenges that threaten our very existence. The narrative of a young woman known as Viroment; who sells fruit by the roadside in Lusaka, Zambia, highlights this reality.
Despite her difficult circumstances, Viroment is given a chance to transform her environment when a concerned passerby makes her aware of the impact of plastic waste. What is striking is that Viroment is initially oblivious to the growing piles of trash around her, including the very plastics she uses to sell her fruit.
This illustrates how certain behaviors, even harmful ones, can become normalized. Through her interaction with the passerby, Viroment and her fellow vendors come to understand the importance of taking responsibility for their surroundings and their actions. Together, they start a movement to clean their street, demonstrating how collective action can lead to significant environmental change. The story underscores the power of community engagement and the critical role individuals play in creating a cleaner, healthier environment.
