WHERE HAS THE RECYCLE CHALLENGE BEEN?

Written by Madera Rogers-Henry, Founder and recycle artist of The Recycle Challenge, a program of Literacy Project International aka Whose Magazine? A Youth Publication.

April 16, 2026

Welcome all! First, my sincere apologizes on not communicating over the last six months. I have a valid reason for the absence. Within that period, I experienced a medical crisis. A 15-pound tumor had been resting in my abdomen! I slept most of the time, and it significantly affected my desire to eat. I underwent surgery on February 2nd, spent six days in the hospital, and was released the day after Super Bowl Sunday. While all this activity was happening, two of my team members (Carissa and Kamili) moved what could be moved and closed our small office at New Orleans Healing Center during and after Mardi Gras. So we are taking time to reflect on next steps. Most importantly for me it’s healing time.

I’m happy to report, I”ve been eating for 45 days, and started journaling my food and special events. I’ve returned to a plant based diet with fish occasionally added. Before this, I was eating ice cream to Mac and cheese, to french fries - anything that would come to mind, Through journaling I’m able to start sketching again, write thoughts and record milestones.

IMAGES FROM MADERA’s JOURNAL

1. First image is from my journal for March 21, 2026 - through my healing from my surgery, I’m sketching.

2. Second image from the journal idea, upcycled one pair of socks and utilized a second pair that were beyond repair. Here’s my first try.

3. Third image shows the finished repurposed sock slippers.

What I've noticed is that my recovery has sparked a renewed sense of creativity and purpose. I’ve been mending by hand—sewing anything that needs repair. In addition, I’ve been fixing sandals soles and gluing loose straps back into the soles or gluing straps back into torn area.

SHOE AFTER AND BEFORE

1.Repaired sandals 2. The sole on the right foot had pulled away from the shoe. 3. Broken strap 4. Repaired strap on sandals

Through these actions, I am sustaining myself and continuing my commitment to rely on my own efforts to mend, repair, and restore my mental and physical health.

What’s especially compelling is how clearly my physical healing and my life mission are connected. My repair work isn’t just practical—it’s symbolic and purposeful. Now, “The Recycle Challenge” feels like a philosophy:

• restore instead of replace

• sustain instead of discard

• heal instead of ignore

In addition to everything mentioned, I’m cleaning out a closet in my home office—a space filled with old dust, long-forgotten files, costumes, and piles of recycled materials and fabric, all stacked in a creatively chaotic mess. Sorting through bags and boxes of forgotten information. I’m taking my time to go through everything to sort and organize!

Cleaning out the office closet 1. Paper bag with shoes needing new soles 2. Long box includes sunflower earrings, paper tiny houses crated by New York artist, Abby and others items to be sorted through in background.

Through The Recycle Challenge mission, this process becomes more than just decluttering. What was once hidden and unused is being revisited, repurposed, and given new life. This, too, is part of my healing. Clearing physical space has mental and creative implications too. It is renewal.

I’m honored to be living that philosophy in multiple dimensions—through my body, habits, environment, and The Recycle Challenge. 

As our world continues to spin with chaos at its center, may we as humans learn to care for ourselves. In doing so, we become more self-reliant and begin to embrace the philosophy of sustainability. We become more centered.

In starting The Recycle Challenge program, my goal was to inspire and encourage people to see recycling differently—through art! But the aim is to view recycling, repurposing and upcycling as a way to begin simpler life that sustains you. 

Let’s look at the word sustain. The dictionary defines the meaning as what strengthens or supports physically or mentally. Selecting a sustainable lifestyle that strengthens, or supports your actions as starting to grow your own food, learning how to can fruits and vegetables, or sewing or mending clothing. Your actions will shift how you contribute to the world.

May we engage with Mother Earth in a way that guides us to

be good stewards for mankind and the planet. Expect an environment of beautiful change!

Peace!