Country:
Kenya
Organization:
Planet One
Three Cairns Fellows
Helping Kenya’s Youth Start Green Businesses
Lynne Beth Awuor’s goal is to develop youth-focused educational and environmental initiatives that drive positive change. She enrolled in the Tropical Forest Landscapes: Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Use (TFL) certificate program to hone her project design and management skills and gain knowledge she could take back to the youth groups she works with in Kenya.
Lynne Beth Awuor believes that effective storytelling is essential to solving some of the most pressing issues facing Kenya’s youth.
“I am from a country where youths are struggling in everything,” Awuor says. “They are struggling to get opportunities, for livelihoods, for their personal growth and wellbeing, and to get knowledge and skills. Many youth groups deal with environmental initiatives, but they lack the necessary skills and knowledge for their initiatives to grow.”
After studying environment and climate justice at Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya, Awuor began working with youths as a community trainer and digital mobilizer for Planet One, a joint project between the Swedish non-profit youth organization Fryshuset, and Greenpeace, aimed at supporting youth involved in climate justice initiatives. She also volunteers with Greenpeace Africa — all with goal of empowering young people in Kenya tell impactful stories of environmental degradation and the challenges facing their communities. She also provides training on climate advocacy and innovation, helping youth groups develop green business ideas that will improve their livelihoods while protecting the environment.
“I believe in the power of youths to drive change,” Awuor says. “They are innovative, passionate, and resilient. They are our future leaders, and their initiatives are what drive policy change in the country. We need to give them any support we can to ensure a sustainable future.”
I believe in the power of youths to drive change. They are innovative, passionate, and resilient. They are our future leaders, and their initiatives are what drive policy change in the country. We need to give them any support we can to ensure a sustainable future.”
Meet More 2023-2024 Three Cairns Fellows
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