Who I am

My name is Niklas Bruggeman. I’m 21 years old and recently spent seven months in Senegal. What started as a surf trip gradually turned into a deep involvement with the people and projects I encountered there. I learned Wolof, worked closely with local communities, and saw firsthand how much impact one committed person can have.

These experiences not only motivated me to pursue a degree in African Studies, but also led to the creation of Sustainable Hero – a platform through which I tell the stories of local heroes I encounter and support their work through concrete action. In January, I will return to Senegal to continue developing two projects that I started earlier this year.

The Heroes

Modou Fall – “L’Homme Plastique”

In Dakar, I met Modou Fall, who has dedicated his life to fighting plastic pollution since 2006. He has planted over 4,500 trees, organised hundreds of clean-up actions, visited countless schools, and contributed to national legislation against single-use plastics –work for which he received Senegal’s national honour medal in 2015.

Modou works from one of the poorest neighbourhoods of Dakar. His work is widely respected across Senegal, but it is rarely paid. Despite his recognition, it remains a monthly challenge for him to support his family.

At the centre of Modou’s work is a former landfill site that he has been transforming since 2020 into a public green space for the community. His vision for this place is ambitious and practical at the same time: it is meant to function as a meeting space, an organic garden, an environmental school, and a community canteen – a local symbol showing that polluted spaces can be brought back to life.

Through donations that I collected, we were able to renovate the public space, restore and expand the garden, build an irrigation system, set up the school space, and equip the canteen so that Modou’s wife can now sell fresh fruit juices.

However, the space is still not fully functional. A significant part of this campaign will therefore go toward further equipping and strengthening this public space, including educational materials and a video projector to host open-air film nights, documentaries, and educational activities for schools and the wider community.

Later, I joined Modou on the Tour du Sénégal – a 210-kilometre walk from village to village to raise awareness about plastic pollution. Modou walked every step in his costume. We visited schools, organisations, and local authorities, spoke with everyone we encountered, and documented everything on social media.

I also created my own costume and became “L’Homme Plastique Jr.” to show that plastic pollution is a global problem and to speak alongside Modou at public events and actions.

Jean Bambou – The Adiana Bamboo School

Alongside Modou, I met Jean “Bambou”, a bamboo artist originally from Togo. Jean never had the opportunity to attend school and cannot read or write, but from a young age he learned to work with bamboo, a sustainable material that is still rarely used in Senegal.

Jean’s biggest dream is the Adiana Bamboo School: a place where children can build, create, and make art free of cost, while learning practical skills. He also wants to offer workshops to tourists to create a stable source of income that can sustain the project long-term.

In the past, Jean attempted to start small versions of the school in rented spaces that he financed himself, but due to a lack of resources, it was never possible to continue.

I lived with Jean for a month on his land next to the beach. Together, we began renovating an unfinished building that now forms the foundation of the Bamboo School. We painted, cleaned, and slowly turned the space into what already feels like a small bamboo paradise. Jean has since built a small beach bar and continues working on the school and his bamboo permaculture system.

What is Sustainable Hero?

Sustainable Hero grew out of my time working closely with Modou and Jean. It is a platform dedicated to making local changemakers visible and supporting them beyond storytelling alone – through direct collaboration, funding, and long-term commitment.

It combines what I love most – filmmaking and storytelling – with hands-on work on projects that create immediate, tangible impact. In January, I plan to officially launch Sustainable Hero and document the entire process through short videos on Instagram and a multi-part YouTube documentary series that will follow later.

What we aim to realise in January

All funds raised are always split 50/50 between Modou and Jean, regardless of the final amount.

During an earlier fundraiser, we managed to realise a lot, but I also learned how challenging it is to organise projects without structure. This time, I return with better preparation, clearer goals, and stronger organisation.

1. Modou – Tour du Sénégal & the public space

• Food, water, shoes, and a small number of overnight stays during the Tour

• Educational posters and materials for schools along the route

• Further finishing and equipping the environmental school

• Improving the community canteen so more products can be sold

• A video projector for film nights, documentaries, and education

• A small financial buffer so Modou can fully focus on the Tour

2. Jean – Completing the Adiana Bamboo School

• A roof for the school space

• An irrigation system for the bamboo permaculture area

• Building materials and basic tools to complete the school

Transparency

Transparency is central to Sustainable Hero. Donors will receive:

• Weekly updates while I’m in Senegal

• A full overview of every expense

• Daily photos and videos [email redacted]o

• Honest communication about both successes and challenges

Why this matters

People like Modou and Jean show how change truly begins – locally, through dedication, creativity, and persistence. Their work has a direct impact on neighbourhoods, villages, and schools, and continues to inspire far beyond Senegal through the stories I share.

Every contribution helps. With your support, we can continue two projects in January that have been dreams for years, and are now becoming reality.

Support us and help build sustainable change in Senegal.