Kishoka YOUTH Organization (Kenya)

#NatureForAll Strategies

The seven #NatureForAll strategies offer solutions to a worldwide problem of disconnection from nature. They have been developed based on recommendations received from the 2014 IUCN World Parks Congress and the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress, and advice from #NatureForAll partners worldwide. They will continue to evolve over time. Not every strategy may be applicable in every situation, so our partners choose the one(s) that work best in their local context. 

The Goal

We believe that in order to live in harmony with the natural environment, we need to stop polluting it. We feel that it is important for our community, especially our young people, to understand the dangers of unmanaged plastic waste in order to develop love and respect for nature. As a result, our goal is to mobilize, organize, and inform youth of the dangers of waste to make our schools and community a litter free place.

Which strategies contributed to Kishoka YOUTH Organization’s success?

Kishoka YOUTH Organization is mainstreaming environmentalism through youth led initiatives that advocate for behavioral change mechanisms and environmental education. Additionally, our promotion of sustainable environmental conservation and basic health care practices improve the health and wellbeing of the vulnerable people of the community.

We work with educational institutions to establish exchange programs, workshops and clinics, and art/theatrical competitions. Through games and songs, children have access to substantial communication on how to conserve nature. The children also provide information on community needs and spreads word of the environmental work we are doing in different villages.

Edutainment (Education and Entertainment): A community dialogue is presented as an interactive and participatory live performance. The performance involves a facilitator and local theatre groups, resulting in a play and performance in front of a community audience. The live performances conclude with a three hour question and answer session on environmental development issues.

SAID Process working method: This method is a cross-gender rights based approach. It is an approach that seeks to convey information, an opinion, a feeling, or intention to sensitize and empower the community to stand up and be the voice of change on issues affecting the community. Outdoors activities have contributed to the success of Kishoka YOUTH Organization because communities connect with us and youth join our work to inform and empower the community thus making it easy to have our message reach far distances and huge number of people.

Social networks spread information and skills very quickly and easily. To reach a diversity of people on issues such as environmental justice and education, using social networks are crucial. This has contributed to our success because we are now recognized globally, countrywide, and at the grassroots level. Thus, securing partnerships, grants, and networking with different organizations.

Impact

• We are considered the most influential youth organization in our community, with more youth joining us every day.
• Now almost 30% of the community understand the dangers of unmanaged plastics bottle and bags and also have skills on Eco-bottle blocks.
• Many people no longer burn plastic – a common form of disposal – which reduces cases of chronic diseases caused by the fumes from burning plastic.
• There is a decrease in cases of rampant water borne diseases caused by stagnant water due to plastic bags and bottles blocking drains.
• We trained approximately 30 group leaders, 10 teachers and 3000 students from 5 schools on environmental justice
• We cleaned half of the Beach of Mtongwe. We collected 6 bags of 90kgs plastic waste along the shores.
• Contributed to SIMON SAYS SAVE THE CLIMATE, a comic in Swahili providing children with a better understanding on how to save the climate

Insider Tips and Resources

• Good leadership is important. Keep in mind doing the right thing needs the right time and place.
• Making sure that you don’t just be the change you want to see. Be the voice for the change you want to see in the world.
• Creativity and a better understanding of the entire community is important to inspire change.