In rural Kenya, a quiet revolution is taking place, led by the very people often left behind, the youth. As the generation with the most to lose from global issues, their long-term vision, energy, and adaptability are proving to be the most powerful catalysts for sustainable change. At 3E Africa, we’ve learned firsthand that empowering young people is not just a part of our work, it’s the key to achieving a lasting impact.
Most young people in Kenya migrate to urban centers for work, but the small number who remain in rural areas have shown extraordinary potential when given the right opportunities. They’ve become leaders in conservation initiatives, champions of social advocacy, and pioneers in sustainable agriculture.
Our “Mizizi yetu Maisha yetu” project, which targets SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, has seen this power firsthand. Through this initiative, young people have embraced new technologies with ease, becoming crucial disseminators of information and using the internet to find solutions to farming challenges. They have embraced the sustainable Agriculture initiatives and proven beyond doubt that Arid and Semi-Arid lands are productive.
Bensily Lekijukwe, one of our youngest beneficiaries, embodies this potential. At just 21 years old, she has transformed her life and her community. Using water-efficient technologies introduced through our project, she now grows fruits and vegetables, feeding her family, creating her own income, and even helping to educate her siblings.
Bensily’s story doesn’t end there. She has become a local champion for sustainable agriculture, educating other young people and women on how to grow food sustainably in their own farms. Her journey is a true testament to what can be achieved when young people are given the necessary resources and a seat at the decision-making table.
At 3E Africa, we are committed to turning young people’s ideas into action by providing the support and resources they need to thrive.
