As whirlwinds terrorised the residents of Machakos County, whose reality of living in open fields came to haunt them during the hot and dry seasons, the children of Raha Kids’ Centre were quietly working to change this reality. Instead of sitting back helplessly, they rolled up their sleeves and began tending a small tree nursery within their school compound. What started as a simple idea of putting seeds into a bed soon revealed rows of delicate seedlings, catching the attention of the curious boys of Raha Kids’.
When Sarah visited the school a few weeks later, she was welcomed with excitement. Little hands tugged at hers, guiding her straight to the nursery where the promise of a greener future was sprouting. Questions flowed eagerly: What kind of trees are these? Will they give us fruits? How long before they become tall? Will you invite more friends to plant them with us especially Oliver and Diana? Their curiosity planted a new idea in Sarah’s heart: to host partners and friends who would nurture this initiative alongside the children.
By the start of 2025, Sarah, through Planet Plus Kenya, had decided to take a bold step with the Education for Sustainable Development Program. She shifted her focus to schools with unique environmental challenges and potential: Raha Kids’ Centre in Machakos, Mukuru Integrated School in Kayaba, and Seme Integrated School in Kisumu County. Even without adequate resources, she chose to begin where she was, determined to walk alongside these children as they grew into environmental stewards.
Each school revealed its own story. At Raha Kids’ Centre, the glaring lack of vegetation meant students endured harsh conditions daily. At Mukuru, the challenges of waste mismanagement polluted soils and water, threatening both children and community health. In Seme, the children lived in a semi-arid landscape where restoration required hardy, ASAL-appropriate trees. These realities became the heartbeat of the eco-clubs established in all three schools, where students were not just learning about problems but rolling up their sleeves to become part of the solutions.
The momentum grew during a mega tree seedling potting day that took place on 26th July 2025, supported by partners such as Sunworld Safaris, Earthlab Network, Soroi Collection, and Tonywild Foundation. The children’s joy was matched by the partners’ commitment as they spoke about why their contributions mattered, what tools and methods were being used, and most importantly, the hope that together, these young leaders were cultivating a future of greener, kinder, and more resilient landscapes.
What makes these eco-clubs powerful is not only their action but their connection. The children at Raha Kids’ Centre are inspired by their peers in Mukuru, who are turning waste into opportunities, repurposing what others discard, and learning that responsibility stretches beyond the school gate. In turn, the students in Seme share lessons on resilience, showing that what many dismiss as barren land is, in fact, a landscape of strength when cared for wisely.
Through Planet Plus Kenya, these clubs are learning to see themselves as part of something larger. A child in Machakos can spark hope in Mukuru, while another in Seme teaches resilience to peers far away. Together, though apart, they are rewriting what it means to grow up in a climate-challenged Kenya: not as bystanders, but as leaders, stewards, and connectors of change.
With the right support, we can create opportunities for these eco-clubs to visit one another, share experiences, and celebrate their progress together. Such exchanges would spark powerful inspiration, something our young leaders need now more than ever.