A Day of Green Action

Thousands of green-clad young people gathered in Kibirizi Sector of Gisagara District in the Southern Province on 12 October, 2024. On the freshly dug face of a hill that overlooks a lush green valley with rice paddies, the rain-softened soil was terraced by horizontal rain-catching trenches, and the crisp, chilly morning air was buzzing with cheer, excitement, and purpose. Rwanda's commitment to environmental sustainability and youth empowerment for climate action was evident as over 2,000 young people from different areas gathered for the Special Umuganda for Youth.

Umuganda or community work can be translated as “coming together for a common purpose to achieve an outcome”. It is one of Rwanda’s precious home-grown solutions to solving development issues. “Umuganda” stems from the culture of promoting dignity, self-sufficiency, and cooperation.

UNICEF Rwanda, alongside key partners including the Ministry of Youth and Arts (MoYA), the National Youth Council (NYC), Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA), and Gisagara District’s leadership joined forces with youth-led organizations like ‘We Got Your Back’ (WGYB) to orchestrate this remarkable day. The focus? Planting over 11,000 trees to reforest a bare and erosion-prone hillside, a step towards bolstering the community's resilience against climate-related hazards.

3200 water pear trees, 3200 Syzigium parvifolia (Mildbr.) 1600 umbrella trees, and 3200 parasol trees were handed over one-by-one to the throng of enthusiastic young people that now covered the hillside. They carefully carried each of these four tree species’ seedlings and planted them in neatly dug holes. These trees will strengthen the local ecosystem, improve soil quality, and support forest health. 

But this wasn't just any tree-planting event. It served as the national launchpad for the Green Rising Project, a global initiative spearheaded by Generation Unlimited and UNICEF Headquarters. This ambitious project aims to cultivate 10 million young climate advocates globally by 2025, empowering them to lead the charge for a green transition in their communities. In Rwanda, the initiative aims to reach over 150,000 young people in one year.

As the day progressed, this hill in Kibirizi Sector gradually transformed into the new nursery for thousands of seedlings. Young hands worked tirelessly and collaboratively, digging and planting the saplings that would soon take root in their new home. The diversity and large number of participants was heartening, with a representation from teenagers and young adults (both girls and boys) engaged in this physical task. In fact, girls were more represented than boys, meeting one of the Green Rising Project’s key goals – successful engagement of girls in taking green action. 

When the planting was over, the Minister of Youth and Arts, Dr. Utumatwishima Jean Nepo Abdallah, expressed his thanks to the young people who had participated in the tree planting session. 

“It’s been proven that climate change affects countries and their people. Since this world will soon belong to today’s youth, you must protect it now,” he remarked, addressing the thousands of young people in attendance.

He emphasized the importance of trees for the environment and the role of youth in taking action to create climate-resilient communities, encouraging them to plant more trees for a greener future. 

Julianna Lindsey, UNICEF’s Representative to Rwanda, also remarked to the young people “When we need to protect our environment and we all come together, it’s easy to do.”

“If it’s one person here and one person there, it’s going to be very difficult. But when everybody is pulling together, we really can protect our land, trees, and water,” she added, thanking everyone, and encouraging them to keep up the good work.

But the day wasn't all work and no play. After the planting was completed and the afternoon sun set in, Gisagara’s youth filled the local Youth Center’s gymnasium to enjoy music and celebration. The Green Rising Concert kicked off, featuring performances by Ariel Wayz, Titi Brown & Team, Bulldogg, and Riderman. Speakers took to the stage between the sets, echoing the urgent need for concrete green actions.

This special Umuganda demonstrated the power of youth in action. It showed that when given the opportunity and support, young people can be at the forefront of addressing environmental challenges and contributing to sustainable development. 

Itangishaka Esther, one of the Green Rising Ambassadors who received environmental stewardship and advocacy training, expressed their collective commitment to ensuring the planted trees survive and grow.

“We, as youth, will ensure that the planted trees thrive, since we plan to create a greener Gisagara and a greener Rwanda,” she said, smiling with satisfaction.

On this inspiring day, one thing was clear: the youth of Rwanda are rising to the challenge of climate change, armed with determination, solidarity, and a vision for a greener tomorrow. Their actions in Gisagara District are not just about planting trees but are also about nurturing a more resilient and sustainable future.