Change Can Take a Generation: International Youth Day
“Change can take a generation.” Dr Rene Haller implicitly understood the importance of mobilising young people to take action when he began his land restoration projects over 50 years ago.
Today, the Nguuni Nature Sanctuary hosts over 6,000 young people every year for dedicated sessions on sustainable agricultural practices, reframing agriculture as a viable and important future path.
The Importance of Young People
Across the world, young people play a vital role as agents of change, leaders, and mobilisers in promoting and sustaining development. The 12th of August marks International Youth Day, an opportunity to recognise the unique contributions young people make in translating global ambitions into community-driven realities.
It’s also an opportunity to double down on investments into this next generation – be that financial, or providing the education and platform young people need to drive the greatest impact.
The importance of this investment has never been more paramount. Half of the people on the planet are 30 or younger, and this is expected to reach 57% by the end of 2030. By 2050, the people who are under 25 today will compose more than 90% of the prime age workforce.
Young People in Kenya
In Kenya, an estimated 80% of the population is under the age of 35, and the median age across the entire population is just 19.
But young people in Kenya face a unique set of challenges. Kenya’s youth make up 84% of the country’s total unemployed population. Four out of every ten young Kenyans are out of work, with six out of every ten unemployed youth being women. When young people can find work, it’s frequently underpaid and offers no long-term path to stability.
Farming has traditionally been viewed as the last resort if young people couldn’t find a better job. Africa has the world’s fastest rate of urbanization, with young people seeking opportunities in towns and cities, profoundly impacting food production and security in rural communities.
Demonstrating the viability of farming as a smart and sustainable career choice is critical to not only unlocking income and job opportunities but also restoring the health of land, water, and biodiversity.
Re-framing the Importance of Regenerative Agriculture
Only 23% of Kenya’s rural youth have received any formal agricultural training. Without proper training on sustainable agriculture, many young farmers will continue to use inefficient and environmentally damaging methods. This leads to reduced productivity, soil degradation, and increased vulnerability to climate change.
At Nguuni Nature Sanctuary, the Haller Team runs the School Kitchen Gardens Programme, teaching children how to grow their food while fostering a strong connection to the land.
By turning small plots into productive gardens, students learn practical skills in sustainable agriculture, composting, and water conservation. These gardens serve as outdoor classrooms where lessons in science, health, and environmental stewardship come to life.
These programmes are designed to inspire children to think about the future and how to conserve the land that they live on, building awareness of the need to nurture the environment.
