By Sharon Runge | Executive Director
Happy Earth Day! It's actually been a busy "Earth" month at Kenya Connect while students have been on their term break. We wanted to share a few of the highlights with you.
In celebration of Earth Day, the Simba Eco Club from Miondoni Comprehensive School, together with students, teachers, and Kenya Connect staff, planted 100 trees and created posters to promote environmental conservation. Teacher Parmenas reflected, “If we take care of the earth, it will take care of us.”
Earlier this month, Kenya Connect led a learning experience at Muthoki Country Lodge, bringing together 96 students from Tausi, Winners, Simba, and Champion Eco Clubs, along with staff teachers, and friends from Muthoki. For most students and staff, this was their first-ever exposure to birding, nature exploration, and hands-on environmental learning.
The visit offered a powerful lesson in environmental restoration, as students learned how Muthoki transformed from previously overgrazed land into a thriving ecosystem. This real-life example sparked reflection among students, with Mutati noting, “We should not cut down trees; instead, we should plant them because trees protect birds and make our environment beautiful.”
Before the nature walk, students were given birding lessons by Safari guide and birder Felix Migoya from Mbiti Africa Safaris. He introduced them to the basics of birding, including how to use binoculars, observe bird behavior, identify different species including the importance of birds noting, “If we kill birds, I will have no job." This helped students understand the direct link between conservation and livelihoods and many got to use binoculars for the first time.
Equipped with these skills, students then explored the forest, applying their knowledge by observing, identifying, and documenting birds through writing and photography.
There were many “aha” moments as students eagerly spotted birds and asked questions specifically birds’ names, creating a vibrant and interactive learning environment. The experience also inspired adults, with Raphael from Muthoki sharing, “This has really created a new interest in me in doing birding.” Felix Migoya also noted, “The initiative is a noble one and a great step in nurturing children to become responsible citizens and champions of the environment.”
Beyond environmental knowledge, students developed key life skills, particularly responsibility and care; understanding the importance of protecting nature, conserving resources, and being mindful of their environment.
It has also been fun to see students in our makerspace create eco art. After discussion on the environment, pollution, recycling and ways we can take care of the earth, students sorted books that were beyond repair and created a montage with a theme of nature which highlighted the importance of taking care of the environment. Younger students created eco-badges from gently used lanyards and other recycled materials.
Students in Wamunyu are becoming environmentally aware and eco champions. These Earth Day activities are thanks to donors like you who provide the support for us to create programs to prepare students with options and new pathways.
By Sharon Runge | Executive Director, USA
By Sharon Runge and James Musyoka | Executive Directors
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