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NWP Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists - Nairobi Kamukunji, Nairobi, Kenya

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Nairobi Kamukunji, Nairobi, Kenya
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Linus14075



Registered: November 2007
City/Town/Province: Nairobi
Posts: 7
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Members of Clean Up Young Youth Club (Eco Club Action) from Eastleigh High School in Nairobi Kenya with Global Peace Festival Kenya are making consistent efforts to remove trash from a 300 meter length of the Nairobi River. Accumulated garbage had formed islands in some parts of the river during its 18-kilometer course through nations capital. This cleanup campaign has attracted dozens of agencies, hundreds of volunteers and various government offices to pull there efforts to restore this landmark feature that cut across Kenya's capital city.


The Nairobi River Basin comprises of 3 main rivers namely Ngong, Nairobi and Mathare. Nairobi River flows through the central Business District. It is the main river of the Nairobi River Basin, a complex of several parallel streams flowing eastwards. The rivers join east of Nairobi and meet River Athi, eventually flowing to the Indian ocean. The rivers are mostly narrow and highly polluted. Currently about 56 percent of the city residents live in highly congested 46 informal and settlements with many located along the Nairobi River banks.


The Nairobi River is considered to be a unifying factor within the Nairobi province. It flows through and serves all the constituencies. Unfortunately, poverty, ignorance and general mismanagement has made the river which was once the pride of Nairobi, a disgrace, it is littered with all kinds of environmental hazardous substances as well as raw sewage from the communities living a long its banks. The Nairobi River network touches all of the notorious Nairobi slums.


Cleaning up of the Nairobi River has been my main dream of conserving and protecting this wonderful natural resource, since I was born. In this 21st century, it was chosen as the most effective way to make a social impact for the Global Peace Festival on August 29-31 this year 2008 in Kenya. It is also priority of the United Nation Environmental Program.


As the build up to the major cleaning scheduled for August 29, an initial project was planned for July 12. To this end, a committee of young people from 12 strategic partners representing all sectors of society was constituted one month in advance. The cleanup location was identified, and preparations were begun to make the day a success. Three main issues were addressed: mobilizing participants, legal issues and raising funds.


It was decided to focus on mobilizing people from eight areas: Dagoretti, Kamukunji, Starehe, Kasarani, Langata, Embakasi and Makadara. Each committee member generated support within his or her network. Various schools, colleges, churches and business communities within and around the cleanup areas were also earmarked as mobilization points. Letters and calls were made to offices whose participation was essential. The city administration, the administrative police from the office of the president, and government minister were also contacted. Organization were invited for the launch of the activities at 8:00 am, with work expected to continue until 1:30 pm.


The day dawned bright and warm. People showed up as early as 7:00 am ready to begin cleaning. They came from youth groups, women's groups, churches, business and the general public. Tools, gloves, and cleaning equipments were distributed as people arrived. T-shirts with the GPF log were handed out. Even the parking boys were excited about the project and willingly join the the ground of people as cleaning progressed. The cleanup took place in ten territories in the city a long the, Nairobi River namely:

1)POLICE CAMP TO MATTER HOSPITAL.
2)MATTER HOSPITAL TO MUKURU .
3)KWARUBEN TO MUKURU KWA NJENGA.
4)OUTERING ROAD TO KAYOLE
5)RACECOURSE TO UNIVERSITY
6)RACECOURSE TO KAMUKUNJI POLICE
7)GIKOMBA TO MAJENGO
8)NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE
9)G.S.U TO HURUMA
10)DAGORETTI


Division of labor made the work easier and more effective, some people removed the various impoundments while others cleared the banks of the river. Even more people carted the debris to collection points where is begged and loaded into the disposal trucks denoted by city council. In addition to hundreds of tree seedlings were planted a long the river the banks to prevent erosion.


KEY PARTNERS


Kenya administrative police joined us, along with more than 300 cadets from the Rift Valley Academy located 200 kilometers away in the small town of Naivasha. Their headquarters is located in the western part of Nairobi along one the river tributaries. Students from neighboring schools joined in, most notably from Pendoris, the Eastleigh High School which brought hundreds of its students.


The Nairobi city council and the ministry of the Environment were very supportive. The mayor was represented and his office provided thousands of cleaning tools, two bulldozers and garbage trucks for use on that day. The police provided security throughout the day.


Thirty five community groups worked together during the project and more than thousands of people participated in the cleanup. The project was successful considering the short time and various challenges that confronted the organizers. Eco Club Action from Eastleigh High School has adopted several portion of the river in order to guarantee lasting impact of the project that will clean men and environment. My club is showing a good example so that people in that area can realize that we are living for the sake of others.
· Date: September 3, 2008 · Views: 10406 · File size: 37.4kb, 131.5kb · : 990 x 636 ·
Hours Volunteered: 2000
Volunteers: 500
Authors Age & Age Range of Volunteers: 16 to 45
Area Restored for Native Wildlife (hectares): 300
Trash Removed/Recycled from Environment (kg): 2000
Native Trees Planted: 5000
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