YOUTH ON THE MOVE TO REACH FURTHER IN ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION

The youths going green is an initiative by the Kenya Red Cross youths in Nakuru to create awareness on climate change and environmental conservation saving our planet from the destruction that have been going on due to pollutions caused by human activities. The project, which is being implemented at the South Rift Nakuru Branch comprising of seven Sub-branches namely Naivasha, Molo, Lare, Bahati, Solai, Subukia, Narok and three university chapters. The main goals is to capacity build the youth by improving their knowledge and access to information on environmental issues and also build youth self-efficiency as active participants in decision making on environmental issues.

Description of the problem the youth project addresses in reference to the Youth Declaration “Solferino 2009”.
According to a report released in July 2009 by FewsNet, a warning system funded by United Nations Agency for International Development, Kenya South Rift region is facing acute shortage of food, water and green pasture for domesticated and wild animals. 80 percent of the long-rain crops, which contribute about 30 percent of food output in the Region, have failed and maize has failed totally. The lakes are facing extinction due to the canalization of water towers upstream. The Rift Valley Provincial Commissioner said that despite continued Government assistance to people in the districts, more was needed to keep children in school and help residents survive the drought.

We the youth, who contribute a majority of the population affected by these problems, in our effort to address migration and climate change, are implementing environmental awareness campaigns so as to be agents of positive change in the society.
The project addresses the need of youths to gain correct knowledge on environmental issues so that they may be incorporated in decision making. The youth constitute majority of the region’s population yet they lack capacity to implement sustainable solutions.

Majority of the out of school youth are not formally employed hence project has involved them in income generating activities. The in school youth have been engaged in educative co-curriculum activities. The secondary target is the community who play a vital role in shaping the choices and perceptions of the youth.