Goumbook — Save the Cigarette Butts
What is Goumbook?
Goumbook — Save the Cigarette Butts is a non-profit organisation my friend Tomas Oliveira and I co-founded in 2021 to help clean up the beautiful beaches of Dubai. For 2 years — whilst finishing our high school diplomas — we worked tirelessly to schedule school outings to Dubai's famous beaches.
Why?
We take pride in protecting the beauty of the UAE, and a profound part of it is the beaches. Far too often we see unaccounted-for rubbish destroying the natural sand that we love to enjoy with friends and family.
The Campaign
Our campaign began when we heard of recent developments in the recycling of cigarette butts and how they were being harvested for energy resources. Tomas and I immediately got on a call and began planning how to embed ourselves in this development. After 7 months of planning and reaching out to schools and partners, we launched — and never looked back.
My Role
I was part of the founding cast of the campaign but took on more of a Director role. My title was Director of Volunteers. I was in constant contact with schools across Dubai to set up outings where students would take a day off school to contribute to the campaign on Dubai's beaches.
Results (2022–2023)
So What Now?
Since graduating high school, Tomas and I have left the organisation in good hands as we both now study at Tufts University in Boston. We are still in frequent contact with our school and the organisation to check up on how things are running.