After just a few months of focused Friday sessions, our 11 young Sustainability Champions – selected after successfully passing the entrance exam to a private school in Nungwi – have already made impressive progress. Their journey so far has been nothing short of inspiring.
Over the past months, these students haven’t just learned about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – they’ve brought them to life. Far from remaining abstract classroom concepts, the SDGs have become real through hands-on learning and field experiences.
To deepen their understanding, the students took part in excursions to organizations actively driving sustainable change. They visited local initiatives, observed environmental efforts first-hand, and began connecting the dots between global goals and their local relevance.
A particular highlight was a multi-day trip to Saadani National Park, where the group witnessed the impact of plastic pollution and coastal erosion up close. They also explored ethical versus unethical conservation practices, especially regarding sea turtle protection – a topic deeply tied to coastal life in Zanzibar. The students also visited innovative local projects, including a recycling company, where they witnessed how environmental initiatives can drive positive change within the community.
But their role hasn’t been limited to learning. These young changemakers have already started to take action. Back in May, they planted the first trees in local communities – a small but meaningful step toward reforestation and environmental consciousness. They also rehearsed a play and song on an environmental theme, which they present to hotel guests and at the projects they visit. In the story, the children reflect on their younger selves and the challenges they faced while trying to protect the planet. This is more than just a play – it’s a hopeful glimpse into the real future of these young sustainability champions.
They’ve also taken direct action against plastic pollution. equipped with garbage bags and a strong sense of responsibility, making a visible impact in their communities.
Recently, the group began performing their play, song, and educational message on plastic pollution and turtle conservation at a local school – marking the start of their mission to spread awareness and inspire their peers. Their vision? A growing network of informed, empowered young people across Zanzibar who care about the planet and take action for a better future. To make sure their message is understood by all, they are now preparing to perform the play in Swahili – ensuring that children from all communities can engage with it fully.
And this is just the beginning. Standing tall and confident, our young sustainability champions are ready to visit more schools and projects, inspire other children, and help form new youth groups across the island. They are the voices of the future – and we can’t wait to see just how powerful they will become as peer educators and environmental leaders.
