Compassion Africa Initiative partners with High Schools in Kenya alongside other partners in an initiative to green the Ruiru Sports Ckub

A group of students from various universities and colleges have come together in a move to conserve the environment in partnership with schools. Through Compassion Africa Initiative, the young Kenyans, some of whom have completed their studies but are not employed, have come up with a waste management and fruit tree planting program which involves primary and secondary schools, aimed at cleaning and greening the country.

Josephine Karimi, coordinator of the group, says they are currently working with various schools in Kiambu County where they have established fruit tree nurseries and initiated waste management projects which include recycling solid materials. "Through this initiative, we are encouraging students not only to clean the environment, but also make money through sale of recycled waste materials. The fruit trees idea aims at improving nutrition for the students and local communities," said Karimi, a graduate in medicine and surgery.

The group members have established an orchard at Mang'u High School, but because of the semi-arid nature of the place where fruits may not survive, they have introduced indigenous tree varieties as well. "We encourage the schools and the neighbouring communities not to throw away seeds whenever they eat fruits, but to bring them to us. Once we collect the seeds, we work with experts in the field so that we help the students develop nurseries and orchards," explained Karimi.

She added that later, the Compassion Africa group buys the seedlings from the learners to expand planting to schools and other designated areas. Karimi further explained that their efforts will not just be localized in Kiambu County, but are spreading out to other parts of the country.

Earlier, members of the Initiative, accompanied by officials of the Rotary Club of Juja and the team mentor Selina Martini, took part in a tree planting exercise at the Ruiru Sports Club where over 1,000 fruit trees were planted. An official of the Rotary Club Miriam Machua, hailed the group's focus on fruit trees because they provide nutrition, clean the environment and generate income. He also commended the youth groups for coming up with the environmental conservation idea, noting that their program will benefit posterity.

"I commend this group of young people who have opted to join their peers in merrymaking activities and instead decided to do something for posterity's sake," said Machua.

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