Environmental Conservation

Growing up in the village, walking to school barefoot was part of our everyday life. It wasn’t just normal, it was fun. In fact, if we needed to run quickly to the shop, make it to school on time, or win a race, we’d kick off our shoes and go barefoot. That was the fastest way. But today, the shade trees that lined our paths are gone, and the ground has become too hot to walk on. Our village was once vibrant and full of life, surrounded by nature. I didn’t need to visit Maasai Mara to see a hyena, I could spot them right behind my grandmother’s house. Pythons, colorful birds, and graceful gazelles were all part of our everyday environment. But now, that abundance is a memory. My heart breaks as I watch the ecosystems in our village change. What was once a lush, green forest now feels like a desert. The transformation has been rapid and devastating. Goldmines now dominate the landscape, polluting the air and water with their constant stone crushing and blasting. The government’s negligence is staggering, poli ies that should protect our land seem to be encouraging its destruction. Our elders failed to pass on the thriving ecosystems they inherited, and I am determined that my grandchildren will never experience this same loss. We must act now to protect the land that gives us life.