The interfaith youth platform in Nairobi led by the office of Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa, joined the Fridays for Future movement on 25 Sept 2020 by a virtual event.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the closure of schools, it was impossible to gather thousands of students that we engage with in various schools. The green festival was organized in line with our annual interfaith youth forum on peace and environment, also inline with global climate strike. It was meant to creating an online space for children for them to express their opinion of the issue of Coal mining in Kenya (Kitui and Lamu) as well as the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (Uganda and Tanzania).

Two experts: Sheikh Muhamad Khan from international Inter-religious Association of Peace and Development was there to give information and updates to children on the danger caused by the coal project in Kitui and Lamu; and Prince Papa from the Global Catholic Climate Movement Africa chapter elaborated on the local and regional risks related to EACOP.

Children from different schools, different faiths plus religious people took the online stage performing with various items for climate advocacy. We can mention few items like: the famous

poem of Sister Jacinta Mwende, the song of Anne Wambui, the spoken word by Allan Kariuki from Global Hope Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, motivational speech by Sarah Khan etc.

        Some key messages of the day

All participants had carried placards on which were written key messages of the day: a just recovery, resistance and vigilance, no to fossil fuel, stop EACOP, yes for renewable energy, support young leaders in climate action , Decoalnize Kenya etc.

We got time to raise our messages and shout slogans, we also got time to light candles in solidarity with all children who were taking action around the world. The lighting candles meant also our solidarity with all victims of climate crisis and Covid-19.

At the end , the Song Afrika Vuka https://youtu.be/pQrqxcZDzf8 was launched officially  and all participants celebrated the day by dancing the song which has also the message of no fossil fuels and advocating for a just recovery. Watch the livestreamed event  https://youtu.be/i1EFENwqjgc, and here the uploaded version https://youtu.be/UUEq0X4skho.

Find here also some pictures of the event here Interfaith Green Festival Pictures.

Among participants, we had some from Tanzania and Uganda. Two children homes that have been very active in advocating for climate justice were present and the boys represented their respective schools, Global Hope Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (Ngong Township primary school, Ngong Township secondary schools, Nakeel Boys, Olooluwa primary school, Olooluwa secondary school) . The children from Mary Immaculate Rehabilitation Center represented schools like (St. Michael’s Secondary school, St. Catherine’s primary school, St Peter and Paul school in Embu, Mangu High school, Mbakkini secondary school. Others were schools of Mercy (Ngarariga Secondary school, Huruma Girls, Our Lady of Mercy Girls Shauri Moyo, Harmony Institute, Young Mercy Ecology, Hare Chrisna Temple, Younnib,  Franciscan Youth in Mulogoro TZ, Bright Doves of St Francis of Assisi in Uganda, Sisters of Mercy, The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Interfaith Health Network Initiative from New York/US, a Young Muslim representative from Minnesota /US and Little Sisters of St Joseph and others.

The event was live on JPICFA YouTube channel and GCCM Africa Facebook page, as well as twitter #FaithAction_KE#JustRecovery#AfrikaVuka.

Note: Some students who were to present failed to join in the Webinar due to technical problems

The event started 4.10 and ended at 6.20 pm. Live participants 103 including YouTube and Facebook page. To make this event possible, we say thank you to all organizers and students from various school, especially 350 Africa for supporting us financially and technically.

Sustainability and way forward

Despite that we can not reach out to all students we have been engaging with, at least we got a number of high school students who are ready to keep movement. Schools Managers and parents are also willing to release children for this noble cause.

Thanks to  

Steeven Kezamutima

JPICFA-Program Manager

Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation Franciscans Africa in collaboration with many other partners organized Schools strike for climate on 21st September, 2019 in Nairobi city ( industrial area), Kenya. Children from many secondary schools, primary schools,Franciscan sisters and brothers, university schools, media and teachers. More that 1000 children marched a distance of 4 km with written messages on banners and placards, addressing people who work in industries around the area. They were chanting requesting for a clean environment and clean energy now now and now. The children got opportunity to address the guest who represented the Nairobi Governor and their handed over to her a letter written on 10 recommendations that Kenya government and Nairobi City county should implement.

Living No One Behind