Summer Internship Experience at Takataka Plastics
We are four masters students from California, USA studying Social Entrepreneurship at Pepperdine University. We recently had the privilege of observing and working with Takataka Plastics for two weeks and are happy to share about our experience. Takataka Plastics embodies the idea that change happens when we utilize the gifts, talents and resources of local communities to address local issues.
Walking into the office for the first time, we weren’t sure how we could contribute. We were immediately awed by the setup. What we would normally think of as reception was three desks sets up in a U shape facing the front doors. Paige and Peter shared a double desk at the center, clearly showing that they are not just the founders but also the faces of Takataka Plastics. On the wall overhead, the mission, vision and values were boldly displayed as a constant reminder of the organization’s purpose. We immediately knew that the impact Peter, Paige and the team would have on us would be far greater than we could possibly have on them in our short time together.
Interns with Peter and Paige
In our short time interning with Takataka, we saw first-hand how multifaceted their approach is to the problem of plastic waste--especially PET water and soda bottles. It is not enough to simply recycle plastic. Instead, Takataka Plastics aims to inspire cultural change in Gulu. This enterprise reaches out in so many directions - they employ and counsel at-risk youth, they connect with the community to create partnerships and educate the residents of Gulu. They inspire change and awareness. There is a buzz of creativity happening on the campus as the group tests new ideas and modifies old designs.
The first few days were spent familiarizing ourselves with different facets of production. We collected plastic waste from the community, stripped and sorted plastic bottles (the Takataka Plastics coveralls were a big hit!), we shredded and washed and put the pieces out to dry. We even had a cooking lesson with their full time cook, Janet, who provides nutritious lunch meals for the entire team. Offering lunch is a critical part of Takataka Plastics as it may be one of the only meals that some staff members may eat for that day. After work, we were connected with Uganda's finest social entrepreneurs and leaders of the community.
Interns participating in washing plastics.
We witnessed the power of networking as we met with community leaders who not only provided counsel, but mutual partnership and support for each other’s businesses. We met Ojok Michael, Executive Director of Hashtag Gulu, a community based organization seeking to provide care for street youth by offering rehabilitation and reintegration services that equip them to be contributing citizens. Before launching Takataka Plastics, Peter was one of the original founders of Hashtag Gulu; now many of the Takataka Plastics production team are recruited from Hashtag Gulu programs. We also connected with the founder of Women Empowerment Network Design (WEND Africa), Jolly Okot, who shared with us many cultural insights and advice on how to operate a social enterprise. In her years of experience with international aid and her personal lived experience of being a post-conflict survivor, she offers a wealth of wisdom after experiencing the pain of operating from a dependency model to one where her organization now focuses on trade.
On Fridays, the Takataka Plastics team gathers after work to relax and socialize after a hard week of labor. It’s a great way to build camaraderie and to unite the different departments together. Our team brought a couple of card games like Sushi-Go and Uno to play with some of the staff.
Takataka Plastics embodies a flat and inclusive organizational culture, with both co-founders and other leadership positions conversing with and listening to feedback from all levels of staff. One particular example had to do with an inventory and financial matter that affected many team members personally. Instead of making a unilateral decision about the course of action, input was solicited from all parties involved and a proposed solution came from the staff themselves. Not only did it prove to be effective, but this is a great leadership tactic where staff input is incorporated into decision-making, thus making it easier to gain buy-in and support of a decision. This example and many other conversations on the financial and operational fronts exemplified the belief that business truly is all about relationships. Takataka Plastics impressed us with their ability to treat staff, partners, and customers, not only as important from a business perspective, but also from a human perspective.
Overall the work culture fully embodied a family that deeply cares for one another and each member of Takataka Plastics fully represents the city of Gulu, Uganda.