To inspire action across the region, our #PhotoChallenge takes on the warmth of our inspiring Global Ambassadors from Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Rwanda, Egypt and many other African nations.
These photos inspire action from all of us, by showcasing the amazing landscapes, environments and actions young people are taking at the local level; and for you, we hope that these equally inspire you.
Abigael (Abby) Bosibori - Kenya
Abigail shares her July photos, from the majestic Ngorongoro, Tanzania; Enjoying & marvelling at the nature of Ngorongoro National Park.
In another photo, she is doing what she loves most; engaging with children/students, in Arusha, on the importance of environmental conservation (through a local environmental CBO called FEid)
Ibrahim Inusa - Nigeria
Ibrahim shares his personal journey, taking action on desertification and restoration in his community. Read with him below:
Climate change has been a life-threatening disaster in the northern part of Nigeria, where for decades the climate crisis has been a major driver of religious, tribal, ethnic and farmer/herder conflict. This, coupled with terrorism has resulted in devastating consequences from flooding each year across the country.
Climate change has been a cause of loss and degradation for hundreds of thousands of hectares of farmlands to desertification in my community (Machina). It is located at the porous and the most vulnerable Sahelian border between Nigeria and the Niger Republic, where we suffer from low yield from our farms. As a result, we’re left with little or no food after harvest, causing immense malnutrition as a result of severe drought caused by the changing climate, making livelihoods harder and warranting forced migration for some of our people at the same time.
This makes me think about what I can do in order to increase my community's resilience to cope with the situation and reduce their susceptibility and associated risk. I founded Nature Conservation Advocates for Climate Initiative (NCACI) with the aim of creating more awareness among these vulnerable communities, about the negative effect of desertification and deforestation around us, with emphasis on youth and children. We focus on the following areas to achieve our mission :
Climate Education
Restoration
Waste Management
Currently, under our desert landscape restoration project, we are raising community nurseries; Machina community nursery and Maimalari community nursery to nurture 5000 drought-resistant trees (Acacia Senegalese, Prosopis)
Japheth Orieny - Kenya
In the middle-ground, an image of a section of the heavily polluted black Mathare River (a tributary of Nairobi River) flowing downstream. In the foreground, is the bank of the river under agriculture in Lucky - summer estate, Dandora “Phase 4” informal settlements sprawling down to the very bank of the river. Both agricultural practices and domestic waste from the settlements contribute to the pollution of this once clean river.
Leonard Iyamuremye - Rwanda
Leonard brings us closer to the beautiful landscape of rural Rwandan farmlands, water supply systems and the essence of conservation farming. A great example & inspiration of community-led conservation and livelihood efforts.
Peter Bulimo - Kenya
My locality is characterized by sloppy and rugged terrain, but that does not deter our people’s ambitions. Farmers make tuft-like soil blocks around their farms which they then use to nurture seedlings before being transported to the main farm. The seedlings are packed in reusable bags and stationed around the blocks. This strategy has multiple benefits; it prevents erosion, makes use of reusable bags, maximizes space and doesn’t require any mechanisation. The seedlings are then watered using dented jerrycans to ensure they have an adequate water supply throughout the year. The outcome of this solution is three-tier; continuous productivity, food security and environmental sustainability.
Victor Tomiwa - Nigeria
Victor inspires us with the amazing story of Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC), Nigeria
LCC is a natural resource conservation centre on Lekki Peninsula in the Lagos state of Nigeria, covering about 78 hectares. It was established by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation in 1990 for biodiversity conservation as well as environmental education. Amazingly, the centre --which happens to house the longest canopy walkway in Africa, protects the wetlands of the Peninsula consisting of swamp and savannah habitats of (rare) biodiversity. Its rich biodiversity endowments encompass some of the IUCN endangered flora and animal species of, for instance, mona monkeys & bushbucks as well as many birdlife species.
Besides the raised walkways and the swampland (with vegetation types ranging from secondary forests to savannah grassland), the nature reserve has other beautiful places/structures like nature trails, hiking trails, a conservation centre & library, stepping stones to cross waterways; and other side attractions like swamp outlooks, rest stops, bird hides and a magnificent death-defying 21m-high treehouse for recreation. LCC is indeed a hallmark of nature conservation in the West African country.
Aiita Joshua - Uganda
This snapshot, taken from an aerial oblique vantage point of view, presents a semi-arid zone in the Northern Ugandan district of Madi-Okolo- Rhino Camp. The indigenous inhabitants of these landscapes are the Madi speaking tribes who are believed to have their origins traced back to the western Sudanic states.
Whereas land tenure systems take their own communal ownerships within most parts of the area, the major economic activities carried out within this area are livestock keeping and small-scale agriculture for subsistence.
Ronald Odhiambo - Kenya
Ronald brings us to the serenity of a landscape view of Mt Mtelo, local name (Sekerr) in West Pokot. It is the fifth highest mountain in Kenya at 3336m elevation above sea level.
Ghaamid Abdulbasat - Tanzania
Ghaamid has been a strong voice for youth and biodiversity and actively took part in the launching of Afr100 in his country, in 2018.
In his inspiring words, “Collectively, everyone can play part in combating the ongoing climate crisis from an individual level.”
And that there is our warmth shared from across Africa, until next month.
