Retirement with a Purpose: Hajji Kalanzi Dirisa’s Journey

At 75, Hajji Kalanzi Dirisa is not just a father of 34 children—he’s a visionary, community leader, and sustainability entrepreneur. Living in Bukomansimbi District, Uganda, Hajji has spent the past two years working as a plastic waste collector with Eco Brixs, an organisation focused on recycling and circular economy solutions.

What began as a modest income opportunity has evolved into a transformative journey—reshaping his retirement, empowering his family, and inspiring his entire community.

“I never imagined that something people throw away could become my source of hope,” Hajji says. “Plastic gave me a second chance.”

🌱 From Survival to Strategy

Before joining Eco Brixs, Hajji relied on subsistence farming and small-scale trading to support his large family. With 34 children and numerous grandchildren, the financial burden was immense. School fees, medical bills, and daily necessities often went unmet, and he recalls having to choose between food or paying for his grandchildren’s education.

In 2023, Hajji attended a community sensitisation meeting organised by Eco Brixs. Intrigued by the idea of earning from plastic waste, he began collecting discarded bottles and containers from nearby villages. Within weeks, he was earning more than he had in months of farming.

💪 Dedication and Economic Empowerment

Hajji quickly became one of the most consistent collectors in Bukomansimbi, collecting plastics from schools, markets, and households, often walking long distances with sacks on his back.

His monthly collections range from 280–410 kg of plastic, enabling him to:

• Pay school fees for 12 children and grandchildren

• Purchase a solar panel and battery for his home

• Invest in livestock: 2 goats and 1 cow

• Repair his roof and install a rainwater harvesting tank

• Support his wife in starting a vegetable stall

• Save UGX 100,000 monthly through a local SACCO

🚚 A Bold Move: Investing in a Truckload of Plastics

In early 2025, Hajji made a strategic move, investing in 2.5 metric tons of mixed plastics sourced from a neighboring district. With the help of his children, he sorted and cleaned the plastics over two months and sold them to Eco Brixs in batches.

“That truck was more than plastic—it was my future arriving on four wheels,” Hajji says proudly.

This investment not only boosted his income but positioned him as a micro-entrepreneur in the recycling sector, demonstrating how retirement can be purposeful, active, and community-focused.

🌍 Retirement with Purpose

For Hajji, plastic collection is more than a job—it’s a retirement strategy and a vision for the future. He hopes to:

• Scale up bulk purchases every quarter

• Employ local youth for sorting and transport

• Establish a permanent plastic sorting center in Bukomansimbi

• Train and mentor new collectors, especially single mothers and elderly men

“I don’t want to sit and wait for help. I want to retire with purpose, knowing I’m still contributing.”

Hajji’s story is a testament to the power of circular economy initiatives to empower communities, generate livelihoods, and create lasting impact, even in later life.