Faustinah Mwabili, a student at Aga Khan University’s Institute for Educational Development, East Africa (IED, EA), translated her classroom knowledge into tangible action by organizing the Taita Taveta County Schools Environmental Day. Held in Kenya’s Mwatate sub-county in March 2024, the event served as a powerful platform to advance Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13: Climate Action, through collaborative conservation and environmental education.
The Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) course at AKU provided Faustinah with critical insights into embedding sustainability within educational frameworks, encouraging robust community engagement, and influencing environmental policy. Inspired by these principles, she conceptualized a dynamic, action-oriented initiative designed to empower local schools to adopt sustainable practices.
The event featured a comprehensive community cleanup, a large-scale tree-growing initiative, and an awards ceremony recognizing schools demonstrating exceptional commitment to environmental sustainability. To support their ongoing efforts, schools received essential resources, including water tanks, trophies, and gardening tools.
Jostinah Wawasi Mwang’ombe, Senior Superintendent Officer at Shimo La Tewa Borstal Prison, delivered a compelling address emphasizing the critical importance of afforestation and soil conservation. Her message resonated deeply with the principles of climate resilience that Faustinah had studied at AKU. Mwang’ombe stressed the necessity of long-term stewardship for newly planted trees, reinforcing the sustainable practices advocated by the university.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Faustinah underscored the imperative for education to extend beyond theoretical learning and translate into practical, real-world solutions. This experience solidified her conviction that sustainability is not merely an individual endeavor but a collective responsibility requiring the mobilization of entire communities to safeguard the environment. She credited the ESD course with fundamentally transforming her perspective, providing her with the knowledge and confidence to drive impactful change.
Faustinah’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of AKU’s approach to Education for Sustainable Development, demonstrating how it empowers learners to emerge as leaders in climate action.
