In December 2023, I joined the UNLEASH Global Innovation Lab in Kigali, Rwanda, as one of 1,000 young talents selected from around the world. I was placed in the Climate and Land track, where I collaborated with an incredible team from Colombia, The Gambia, the United States, Pakistan, and Iceland. Together, we developed PappyBags, a sustainable solution to replace single-use plastic bags in South Sudan by using locally abundant papyrus reeds to create reusable tote bags.

Our innovation aimed to address both environmental pollution and economic empowerment, turning an underutilized natural resource into a source of income for communities. We progressed to the first knockout stage before being eliminated in the following round, but the process was a powerful learning experience in rapid ideation, cross-cultural collaboration, and human-centered design.

Beyond the project, UNLEASH was a cultural and networking hub. I connected with changemakers tackling climate and sustainability issues worldwide, while honing skills in solution design, systems thinking, and impact pitching. The experience deepened my commitment to applying creativity and local resources toward climate resilience in South Sudan and beyond.