Varsity students partner with schools in a conservation drive

A group of students from various universities and colleges have come together by in a move to conserve the environment in partnership with schools.

Through Compassion Africa Initiative, the young Kenyans, some of whom have completed their courses but are not employed, have come up with a waste management and fruit tree planting program which involves primary and secondary schools, aimed at cleaning and greening the country.

Josephine Karimi, coordinator of the group drawn mainly from Thika and Juja sub counties, says her members are currently working with various schools in Kiambu County where they have established fruit tree nurseries and initiated waste management projects which isolate and recycle solid materials.

"Through this initiative, we are encouraging students not only to clean the environment, but also make money through sale of recycled waste materials. The fruit trees idea aims at improving nutrition for the students and local communities," said Karimi, a graduate in medicine and surgery.

The group members have established an orchard at Mang'u High School, but because of the semi-arid nature of the place where fruits may not survive, they have introduced indigenous tree nurseries as well.

"We encourage the schools and the neighbouring communities not to throw away seeds whenever they eat fruits, but to donate them to us. Once we collect the seeds, we work with experts in the field so that we help the students to develop nurseries and orchards," explained Ms. Karimi.

She added that later, the Compassion Africa group buys the seedlings from the learners for onward planting to schools and other designated areas.

Karimi further explained that their efforts will not just be localized in Kiambu County, but are spreading out to other parts of the country.

Earlier, members of the Initiative, accompanied officials of the Rotary Club of Juja and the youths group mentor Selina Murithi, took part in a tree planting exercise at the Ruiru Sports Club where over 1,000 fruit trees were planted.

An official of the Rotary Club Mburu Machua, hailed the group's focus on fruit trees because they provide nutrition, clean the environment and generate incomes.

He also commended the youth group for coming up with the environment conservation idea, noting that their program will benefit posterity.

"I commend this group of young people who have refused to join their peers in merrymaking activities and instead decided to do something for posterity's sake," said Machua.