About

I’m originally from Uganda, where I studied social work and social administration. I moved to Boston in 2022 to pursue a master’s in theology at BU and later enrolled in the social work program.

My curiosity about climate change began in high school when my physics teacher warned us about the devastating impacts of climate change. In Uganda, plastic waste is a huge issue - we don’t have centralized systems to manage it, so plastic often clogs drainage systems and pollutes waterways. That warning, along with seeing young people around the world advocate for climate action, made me realize I wanted to be part of the solution. While I had always cared about the environment, I hadn’t deeply explored ecological justice until I got to BU.

In my first year, I became intentional about climate change when I chose it as the focus for my qualitative research class, where I wrote about behavior patterns around single-use plastics in Boston. That research, along with racial justice courses at the School of Social Work, opened my eyes to environmental issues in the U.S., and how they disproportionately impact low-income communities and communities of color, which inspired me to take action.

BU Highlights

Given my interest in environmental justice, I enrolled in BU's Faith and Ecological Justice (FEJ) program. In my second year, I wanted to take a more hands-on approach for a class project. My professor and program coordinator connected me with the BU Sustainability team, which led to me organizing a waste audit at the School of Theology. I had never done anything like it before, and it was eye-opening to see what we throw away and how waste is processed behind the scenes.

This experience inspired me to join the Goodwill, Not Landfill Operations Assistance Team (GOAT) to help BU divert recyclable and donatable materials from landfills and incinerators. When I saw the sheer volume of textiles being discarded during move-out, I was shocked. It reminded me of my first move-out at BU – like many students, I didn’t know what to do with my extra belongings. Seeing all that waste made me think: what if we could repurpose bedding and towels instead of just recycling them?

I brought the idea to the Faith and Ecological Justice team, and we pitched it to BU Sustainability, who were incredibly supportive and decided to implement it during move-out. We identified several local organizations that were eager to accept donations, including Harvard Square Homeless Shelter, First Community United Methodist Church, Wesley United Methodist Church, Bay Cove Human Services, and Vanderburgh Sober Living. During the summer of 2025, my team and I have been organizing and cleaning these textiles in preparation for donation.

Excitement

I’m excited to see BU continue to expand its sustainability outreach and engage with more students across campus. There’s so much potential to bring more people into the conversation, especially through efforts like information sessions during move-out. When students understand the environmental impact of waste and learn about the systems in place to address it, they’re much more likely to get involved. For me, it wasn’t just about doing the right thing. I was driven by a real fear of what happens if we don’t act.

Advice for BU Students

Start small. You don’t have to lead a project—just being part of a community that cares can make a difference. I saw that firsthand during move-out. When students learned where their belongings were going, they felt good about donating. Some were genuinely relieved to know their items wouldn’t end up in a landfill, especially if they didn’t have the time or ability to take everything with them. Even simple actions can have a big impact.