Being Visible And Make A Difference

In a bustling coastal town, nestled between swaying palms and azure waters, a group of young environmental warriors was on a mission. These were not seasoned activists or scholars but a spirited group of primary school children who had taken it upon themselves to combat the looming threat of climate change.

The story began at Salex Transition Academy in Mtongwe, Mombasa, where kids as young as 10, under the leadership of 14-year-old Fatuma Hamisi, had united to tackle one of the most pervasive environmental issues - plastic pollution. Armed with passion and determination, they embarked on a journey to collect plastic bottles that littered their town.

Plastic waste makes up 80% of all marine pollution and around 8 to 10 of plastic end up in the Ocean each year. Research states that, by 2050 plastic will likely outweigh all fish in the sea. The Environmental Protection Agency-EPA has stated that basically 100% of all plastics human beings have ever created are still in existence.

Fatuma, wise beyond her years, understood the grave consequences of plastic pollution on their beautiful coastal environment. She knew that these bottles, if left unchecked, would continue to mar their pristine surroundings and harm the delicate marine life just beyond the shore. With her youthful energy and unwavering spirit, she rallied her schoolmates, and the entire school was involved.

Their mission was clear: collecting plastic bottles. The kids understood the menace of these bottles to their pristine environment, and they were determined to make a difference. Armed with sacks and a fierce sense of purpose, they set out to clean up their town, one plastic bottle at a time.

"Every day after school we scour the town, from the sandy beaches to the bustling Marketplaces, collecting plastic bottles of all shapes and sizes," said Fatuma.

Balancing Education and Climate Change.

But this wasn't just about cleaning up; it was about creating a cycle of positive change. The collected plastic bottles, they decided, would be exchanged for valuable resources. In collaboration with an environmental youth group called Kishoka Youth, they had an ingenious plan.

The children would trade the collected plastic bottles for renewable sanitary pads and other essential learning materials. It was a win-win situation. The environment would benefit from the reduced plastic waste, and the children would gain access to educational tools that could shape their futures.

Geoffrey Anari, a 15-year-old pupil, shared an inspiring story. At first, his parents had laughed when they saw him collecting plastic bottles. They thought it was just a child's play. But Geoffrey, with maturity beyond his years, sat his parents down and explained the dangers of plastic bottles to their environment and health.

His parents moved by his commitment and understanding, not only supported him but also joined him in collecting plastic bottles. "I explained to my parents how these seemingly harmless bottles could take hundreds of years to decompose, releasing toxic chemicals into the environment," said Geoffrey.

Hamisi Mohammed, a member of Kishoka Youth, beamed with pride when he talked about the kids' initiative. "These young champions are helping to reduce the existence of plastics in our society," he said. "Their actions are a testament to the power of youth in environmental conservation.

He emphasized how it contributed to reducing the prevalence of plastics in their society, a step closer to a cleaner, healthier environment. With a smile, he stated, "The school kids’ involvement in environmental conservation is a shining example of how even the youngest among us can make a difference."

Hamisi continued, "Once we receive the plastic bottles from these incredible kids, we recycle them into various materials, such as chairs, tables, eco-benches, and even plastic houses. It's amazing to see how a small act can lead to big changes."

CBC key in Climate Change Mitigation.

The school director, Mr. Felix Savai, was equally impressed by the project's impact. "This initiative not only helps counter climate change but has also made our school's compound cleaner," he noted. "It's crucial to involve school kids in climate change mitigation at an early stage. Their enthusiasm and dedication are inspiring."

Mr. Savai emphasized the significance of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in nurturing young environmentalists. "The CBC helps school kids gain more knowledge about climate change mitigation, and as a result, many of them are becoming passionate environmentalists," he stated.

As the plastic bottles continued to pile up, and the children's enthusiasm remained unwavering, their coastal town underwent a transformation. Beaches that once bore the burden of plastic waste began to regain their natural beauty. The town's streets and parks became cleaner, and a sense of pride and ownership washed over the community.

The impact rippled through the region, inspiring other schools to launch similar initiatives. The coastal town's success story became a beacon of hope, showcasing the incredible potential of even the youngest members of society to combat climate change.

Fatuma and her friends at Salex Transition Academy had not only learned about environmental conservation but had also become living examples of what it means to be stewards of the planet. They understood that every plastic bottle collected, every tree planted, and every educational resource shared was a step towards a brighter, more sustainable future.

In their determined quest to combat climate change, these primary school kids were not just cleaning up their coastal town; they were sowing the seeds of change that would continue to grow and flourish, transforming not only their own lives but also the world around them.

By Athuman Luchi - Mombasa