COVID-19 has had a dramatic affect on daily life in Uganda. Closures, lockdowns, travel restrictions, and other public health measures have had widespread direct and indirect effects in the communities. The increased layoffs of casual workers have increased unemployment among dozens of women and youth (aged 14-28 yrs) in Namugongo. This Waste to Wealth project aimed to change the perceptions of community members through sensitization about the need for proper plastic waste disposal, training in artisan skills and entrepreneurship, and active engagement in environmental restoration. This is a One Health issue because it lies at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health.

RWICA's solution was to engage marginalized women, such as teen-aged mothers and widows, to address the increasingly critical issue of plastic waste by:
• Incentivizing the collection of plastic;
• Providing training in how to repurpose the plastic to create items for sale;
• Instructing in safe water and ecosystem restoration; and
• Building entrepreneurship skills to catalyze new enterprises.

Participants in this event received knowledge, skills, and resources that prepares them to take practical and feasible action to improve access to safe water and to build resiliency to climate change.