By Evalyne Nyambura
“We first came together for unity purposes and later on the idea of forming a CBO was mooted by some of the members with an aim of improving the livelihood of community members,” said Kennedy Wanjiru, Secretary Green Mind CBO.
Most of the time it is
always hard to find students who have a passion for environment and community
development. Youths tend to shy away from environmental issues and voluntary
work.
In Sipili Town of
Ol-Moran Ward in Laikipia West Sub County, a group of youths are determined to
reverse this trend. The youths have formed Green Mind Community Based
Organization (CBO) with an aim of spearheading environmental conservation and
protection.
Majority of the members
are university students aged 20 years undertaking different undergraduate
courses but what sets them aside from other youths is their shared passion for
the environment.
Green Mind CBO was
conceived during a unity purpose meeting by the students. They had come
together to discuss how each of them can help to improve the livelihood of
community members.
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| Some of the members during a mentorship program at Lariak Day Secondary |
“We first came together for unity purposes and later on the idea of forming a CBO was mooted by some of the members with an aim of improving the livelihood of community members,” said Kennedy Wanjiru, Secretary Green Mind CBO.
Kennedy recalls that
during most holidays he has been seeing the effect of climate change with most
of the time his parents realizing low returns. This prompted him to think of
ways of mitigation. Ol-Moran Ward has been receiving sparse rainfall due to the
effect of climate change.
The members have been
frequenting Ng’arua Maarifa Centre to do research and also to seek for advisory
services. During one of the meetings the centre linked them with Sipili
Community Forest Association (CFA) and Sipili Water Resource Users Association
(WRUA).
Kennedy who is third year
student studying Environmental Science (Community Development) at Kenyatta
University believes that the 23 member CBO, 17 male and 6 female can not only
be a tool for change but can also empower communities for prosperity.
Initiatives being undertaken
Since its formation the
CBO has been keen in greening schools, public institutions and community land.
They have also been providing education on protection of sensitive ecosystems.
“We want to provide a
forum, where members would give the community members social, economic and
mental support wherever possible. This will go hand in hand in developing and
upholding the best cultural, social and economic heritage of communities,” said
Maina.
The organization has been
able to plant at least one thousand trees in schools visited by the CBO’s
mentorship program members. They have also been planting trees in member’s
homesteads as well as community lands. This is towards supporting the County’s
projected 10 percent forest cover. Through contributions, the members are able
to raise funds to support these activities.
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| Some of the members planting trees |
The CBO is also involved
in voluntary work like garbage collection. Plans are also underway to involve
community members in cleaning of rural towns in Laikipia County.
They are also
doing civil education to community members on environmental conservation and
protection.
Ken Maina, Chairman Green
Mind CBO noted that changing the mindset of some community members has been a
problem.
He said that some community members deem what they are doing as a
waste of time and something that youths should not be doing.
“Some people have been
looking down upon us as they say that youths have nothing to offer to the
community. Instead of some supporting our initiatives they have been at the
forefront of discouraging us,” said Maina.
Future plans
Some of the planned
activities include: publishing an environmental magazine; holding awareness
marathons on issues like drug abuse, environmental conservation and health;
educating community members on agriculture and livestock through seminars and
meetings; starting conflict resolution forums; and developing software’s for
use by schools.
Young people have a
special interest in maintaining a healthy environment because they will be the
ones who will inherit it. The involvement of youths in environmental
conservation will ensure a sustainable future for themselves and for future
generations.
Green Mind CBO can be reached through their Facebook page
Green Mind Kenya
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