- The Foundation continues to inspire young people to be leaders of courage and character and to embody the works of Prof Wangari Maathai.
- "My mother was always ahead of the world, as she understood how crucial, the fact that the environment was the source of everything good."
The Wangari Maathai Foundation has recognised two climate and environmental activists in its first legacy prize which honours and promotes Maathai’s vision.
The two climate champions from Nigeria and Tanzania, have demonstrated a commitment to the core values that uphold the life and work of Maathai.
In a statement, the Foundation said, Hellena Sailas(Tanzania) worked to reduce and solve environmental problems caused by plastic waste.
"She founded the Arena Recycling Industry, a social enterprise that recycles plastic waste into Eco-friendly building materials for the construction of affordable houses, toilets and other buildings in rural areas," the statement read.
"Toluwalase Abiona a 23-year-old climate activist who lives in Osun State, Nigeria, founded the Zero Plastic Straw Community to save the Ocean and the planet through behavioural change and environmental education."
The Foundation continues to inspire young people to be leaders of courage and character and to embody the works of Prof Wangari Maathai.
In the event that marked Wangari Maathai Day, the Nobel prize winner's daughter Wanjira Maathai said her mother was always ahead of the world, as she understood how crucial the environment was.
"To her, everything comes from a healthy environment. She used to say ‘the environment is our life support system,’ and this has been manifested in her enduring legacy that continues to impact people across the globe. We must fight the good fight. We must stay the course and we must finish the race," she said.
Njeri Kabeberi, the Foundation's CEO said Wangari wrote her story from an early age and continues to write it in many hearts, adding that the foundation wants to globally amplify Wangaris' ideals so that each person can do their bit towards a better world.
"Her spirit of knowledge, understanding, courage, wisdom, and compassion she had for the world propelled her to constant and perpetual action," she said.