Growing change: Daniel’s mission to green Kakuma
“I believe in the power of trees!” says Daniel, a 17 year-old climate activist, originally from Democratic Republic of Congo, who grew up in Kakuma Refugee Camp. Trying to access quality education to enrich his learning in addition to school had been a struggle: not least the lack of devices to get online to study, but being turned away from competitive programmes and not being qualified for others due to his education level.
It was a former Amala educator from Daniel’s tribe who told him about Amala and encouraged him to apply for the Changemaker Foundation Programme. Daniel was fifteen at the time, with an eagerness to learn. “When he told me about it, I had to apply,” he says. And then, when the programme started, Daniel remembers his surprise: “ I wasn’t aware that I could actually be a changemaker.”
Daniel credits his experience at Amala with helping him build the skills and understanding of how to help other young people at his school. “We were taught how to find solutions, to come up with entrepreneurial ideas which can address community challenges such as poverty. At mainstream school, you are not encouraged to explore your creativity or real world problems”. It was during his time on the Amala Changemaker Foundation Programme that Daniel really recognised the importance of empathy. “It’s essential, because I feel the pain that fellow refugees are facing, and drives me to do something about it”.
Daniel on graduation day
Kakuma Climate Action all started during the programme, as Daniel applied for the Rise scholarship and brainstormed what his community needed. “I sat down and I thought about the camp. It’s very hot, there aren’t enough trees, there are many refugees living there, and it’s difficult to get employed. Some refugees have studied in their own countries and then the qualification is different in Kenya so their education isn’t recognised. Planting trees will help people in Kakuma to practice agriculture, as they’ll be able to sell their products at the market.”
“I built skills which have helped me and given me understanding of how to help other young people at school, all because of Amala.”
But it wasn’t simple: Daniel thinks back to the start of the project, when he decided he wanted to plant trees. “I had to go to the tree planting centre to ask for some tree seedlings. They threw me out because I was too young. I almost lost hope, but I thought I’ve got to do something. I created a Google Site, and went back to show them. They were shocked! Lots of young people aren’t into using digital things. They gave me five trees”.
Daniel chose neem trees to plant, not only because they are numerous in the camp, but because neem has multiple applications: in medicine, as a crucial part of the ecosystem, and good for shade. He believes that tree planting can transform Kakuma Camp. “Kakuma can go three months without rain”, Daniel explains. “The area is so white because of the sun. When there are trees, that will all change. I want to continue raising environmental awareness so that Kakuma is no longer just a refugee camp, but a place where people can thrive”.
Since then, Daniel has embraced being a leader, participating in Amala’s Ethical Leadership Changemaker Course, becoming his school’s “Prime Minister”, and educating younger people in his community. Daniel is already looking towards applying for colleges, with his sights set on the African Leadership Academy in South Africa. And Kakuma Climate Action is progressing. Daniel reaches out to people online and offline, has created a YouTube channel and developed the website, so that he can raise awareness of his organisation and have farmers collaborate.
On a more personal level, taking part in the Amala Changemaker Foundation Programme inspired Daniel. “Before the course, I didn’t have specific hobbies or interests. Honestly, I was just a human. But through the course I came to develop a passion for tree planting”. The previous Rise Global Winners, like fellow Amala alumnus Christian, with whom Daniel used to play football, inspired him. “They were as young as me and doing amazing things. I asked myself, ‘why can’t I do something better?’ They were inspirational. I am continually developing my vision”.
If you enjoyed reading Daniel’s story, why not check out some more Amala alumni stories?