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Here are the stories chosen by AFP’s editor-in-chief as the most inspiring stories of the week.
The cafe’s sleek exterior in Libya’s capital reveals a vibrant space built entirely from recycled materials to promote sustainability in a country recovering from years of war. I can barely tell what’s going on.
Ramah, which means “gathering” or “hangout” in Arabic, is a cultural hub for locals and other visitors, with an art gallery that showcases Libyan artists and hosts events and workshops. Masu.
But its main mission is to raise awareness of an eco-friendly lifestyle in Libya, the owner said. In Libya, environmental efforts are lacking as people face the aftermath of a brutal conflict.
Luai Omran Barwei, the architect who designed and founded Lamma, said the café was built using materials discarded on the street, such as tire rubber, wood from trees and construction debris.
“The idea is to show people that things that are thrown out on the streets and are considered ugly and useless actually still have value,” he told AFP.
Libya plunged into war after a NATO-backed uprising led to the overthrow and killing of dictator Moamer Gaddafi, followed by years of fighting between militias, mercenaries and jihadists.
Power remains divided between the UN-recognized government and a rival authority in the east.
Beyond the long narrow door to the llama, visitors are greeted with a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes.
The plant-covered walls contrast with the hanging screens of scrap metal, alcoves, and tunnels of slides through which children plummet.
“There is no place like this in Libya,” said Rula Ajawi, Ramah’s art director. “We base everything on one aspect that we think is very important: recycling.”
Families flock to Ramah on Thursday, the start of the Revere weekend, and the cafe hosts art workshops for children.
Some people borrow books from the venue’s small library.
Barweis said his team hopes recycling and other environmentally friendly efforts will begin, although they are still rare, in Libya, which currently lacks recycling facilities.
Visitors to Llama will notice familiar everyday objects repurposed throughout the space, but “they’ll come to see them differently. We’re here to foster new ways of thinking. It’s coming,” Barweis said.
In Libya, plastics, metals and glass destroyed during more than a decade of civil war are rarely, if ever, reused or recycled, Ajjawi said.
They are often left out in the wild, left on the streets, and sometimes washed into the Mediterranean Sea by the rain and wind.
But initiatives like Llama’s are turning objects once destined for landfill into works of art. The concept has now caught on with locals.
“I love this place,” said Riyad Youssef, now a regular at Ramah. “The food is great, the service is great, and I appreciate the commitment to reducing waste. All the ideas here are great.”
