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Sauti Za conservation

SAUTI ZA CONSERVATION: NYASHINSKI’S UVUMBUZI AFRICA INTERVIEW

In this episode, the popular Kenyan pop, hip-hop and R&B artist Nyamari Ongegu popularly known as Nyashinski sat down with our own Natasha Gatungo to chat about life, music, environmental and wildlife conservation and what inspires him.

 

During the conversation, Nyashinski urged the youth to be more actively involved in the protection of the environment and wildlife without waiting for things to get worse.

“The youth need to own and drive conservation affairs in the country. It’s not a preserve of the old,” he said.

To be more involved, the former member of the now defunct rap trio group Kleptomaniax said that the current crop of youths is inclined to take action and only need to be more informed and enlightened if they are to play their role effectively.

“The more informed the youth are, the earlier they are likely to jump into the conservation bandwagon,” Nyashinski said. 

The Marathon Runner singer said he is not only ready to become a conservation ambassador and lend his voice to wildlife conservation efforts as an artist and a person of influence but will also actively play his part through donating towards conservation, encouraging others to be actively involved in environmental and wildlife conservation and being a conduit between stakeholders.

“I love animals… and I want to leave a good environment and country for the coming generations,” Nyashinski concluded.

#WildAboutLife

#WILDABOUTLIFE YOUTH CAMPAIGN AT MARA NABOISHO CONSERVANCY

Christine Kopiyo, the first winner of the #WildAboutLife campaign contest organized in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association (KWCA), Kenya Wildlife Trust (KWT) and Light Art Club to give the youth an opportunity to experience the beauty of Kenya’s wild, chose to expose her daughter to the magnificence and importance of the natural world at Mara Naboisho Conservancy. This, she said, is in line with her effort to mentor the lively young girl to grow into a citizen who values, appreciates and promotes protection of nature.

“This Nairobi gives her a smaller view of what goes on in the natural world,” said Christine.

Hopefully, Christine’s daughter will share her experience with her peers and inspire them to be actively involved in conservation as well.

 

#WildAboutLife

#WILDABOUTLIFE YOUTH CAMPAIGN AT OSERENGONI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

The youth-led campaign, #WildAboutLife, organized by Uvumbuzi Africa, Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association, Kenya Wildlife Trust and Light Art Club during the World Wildlife Day 2020 to expose the urban youth to nature and conservation issues saw some of the young photographers and videographers like Samantha Nyakoe visit the Oserengoni Wildlife Sanctuary in Naivasha where she experienced firsthand the benefits of wildlife protection.

Samantha, an online influencer, promotes sustainable fashion consumption by buying secondhand clothes and only shopping from environmentally friendly companies. Samantha promised to use her influence on social media to advocate for conservation and mobilise the youth to engage in conservation. She vowed to continue leading sustainable life.

“You can be environmentally friendly and still fashionable,” she said.

Covid-19

UVUMBUZI COVID-19 RESPONSE: KIBRA FOOD DRIVE

On the 3rd of April 2020, we successfully conducted a food drive in the Kibra area where we provided free non-perishable foods i.e. maize flour, cooking oil, rice, green grams; 260 reusable disinfected masks; and handwashing soap to over 60 vulnerable families, including single-parent households, families with disabled kids/members and two households with cancer patients.

This response was informed by the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 on the day to day lives and livelihoods of the community members. A large percentage of the population in Kibra support their families through daily odd jobs. Due to the restrictions on movements and social distance, these families found it challenging to meet the household demands including basic needs such as food.  

The food drive, therefore, helped the families not only to meet the household food and sanitation necessities but also gave them the incentive to stay home, observe social distancing and protect themselves to prevent further spread of the virus.

During the drive, our team had a conversation with the members of the community on conservation. Despite the challenges, the residents are playing their part in protecting the environment through recycling, raising awareness, proper disposal of waste, conducting cleanups and ensuring hygiene.

“I’m conserving my environment by fetching rainwater, collecting garbage and putting it where it’s supposed to be,” Irene Akinyi, a human rights defender based in the community, said.  

Special thanks go to our Chairperson, Beatrice Karanja, Wambui Kibicu and everyone who gave gracious donations that made this possible. Special thanks as well to our dedicated volunteer team whose commendable work ensured the efficient implementation of the initiative.