Chinese NGO taps Kibera CBO to nurture youth drive in environmental conservation

The initiative is part of a broader campaign to cultivate a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens.

by MOSES OGADA

News08 December 2025 - 18:34

In Summary

Speaking during the training workshop, Impact Steps Chief Executive Officer Molly Yang said the organisation is committed to instilling environmental values in young people as a long-term strategy for safeguarding the planet.
“If we want to succeed in the fight for a better environment, we must begin by planting the importance of conservation in the hearts of young people. They are the ones who will carry this knowledge into the future,” she said.

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A Chinese non-governmental organisation, Impact Steps, has partnered with Kibera-based community outfit Penda Mama Earth in a fresh effort to equip local teenagers with practical skills and awareness on environmental conservation.

The initiative, unveiled on Sunday in Nairobi’s Kibera slums, is part of a broader campaign to cultivate a new generation of environmentally conscious citizens.

Speaking during the training workshop, Impact Steps Chief Executive Officer Molly Yang said the organisation is committed to instilling environmental values in young people as a long-term strategy for safeguarding the planet.

“If we want to succeed in the fight for a better environment, we must begin by planting the importance of conservation in the hearts of young people. They are the ones who will carry this knowledge into the future,” she said.

The workshop attracted dozens of teenagers from across Kibera, who were taken through sessions on tree planting, recycling and community-led conservation practices.

Ms Yang said Impact Steps has been active in Kenya for more than a decade, with notable projects in Nakuru County focused on wildlife and habitat conservation.

She noted that the Kibera programme marks the start of a strategic shift to urban communities where environmental challenges are more pronounced.

As part of the initiative, the organisation donated eco-friendly planting bags that can be used to grow trees, flowers and medicinal herbs even in confined spaces.

Ms Yang explained that the bags can be hung on walls or balconies, allowing residents in high-density areas to participate in conservation efforts.

“These bags allow families to green their surroundings without needing large plots of land. It is a simple solution with the potential for big transformation, especially in informal settlements,” she said.

She called on national and county governments to support grassroots conservation efforts, saying such partnerships are crucial in helping the country meet President William Ruto’s target of planting 15 billion trees by 2030.

Penda Mama Earth chairman Morphat Minishi welcomed the partnership, describing it as timely and impactful for the local community.

“This training is opening the eyes of our young people to the role they can play in restoring our environment. For a long time, many felt that conservation was something done far away in forests and parks. Today they know it starts right here at home,” he said.

Minishi added that the planting bags will allow Kibera families to “turn their small spaces into green spaces,” and pledged the CBO’s commitment to working with Impact Steps on long-term conservation goals.

“We are ready to walk this journey together because a healthier environment translates to a healthier community,” he said.

Teenagers who attended the workshop expressed optimism about using their new skills to improve their neighbourhoods.

Fourteen-year-old Kelvin Ochieng’, a Form Two student, said the training changed his perspective on personal responsibility.

“I used to think planting trees was for adults or people with land. Now I know I can make a difference even from my small home by using these planting bags. I want to teach my younger siblings the same,” he said.

Eleven-year-old Mercy Akinyi, a primary school pupil, said the sessions opened her eyes to the link between a clean environment and community health.

“I have learned that when we take care of the environment, we are also taking care of ourselves. I want to start a small garden at home and maybe even inspire my friends to do the same,” she said.

In addition to the training, Impact Steps distributed clothes, schoolbooks and other basic items to the teenagers to support them ahead of school reopening next year.

The two organisations say they will continue rolling out similar programmes in Kibera as part of a long-term strategy to empower youth and strengthen community resilience against environmental degradation.