Reverse time
“Sometimes I wish I could reverse the time but since this is not possible, I can only protect and conserve the present by planting more trees. Whenever I go back to Garissa, I encourage people to plant trees so that we can create greenery. I also help organise my fellow age mates in collecting the litters and educate them on the importance of living within a clean neighbourhood,” says Ferdosa.
So where did she get this passion to be an environment activist?
“When I joined the Plant for the Planet Foundation, I met people who were passionate about environment matters. One of them was a boy from Germany, Felix Finkbeiner. He made me learn that the tree I plant now will give future generations a secure and habitable environment.”
When we visited her school, Excel Girls’ High School in Kitengela, Kajiado County, her principal Julia Mbae spoke well of Ferdosa.
“I noticed that’s she loves the environment. She ensures the other students do not litter the compound but if it happens, she won’t hesitate to clean it up. It is impressive given that she is just in her first form,” says Mbae.
Ferdosa, whose dream is to become a lawyer, has already started an environment club within the school that she hopes will encourage fellow students start a green future by planting trees.
As a lawyer she hopes to fight for children’s rights.
“I have lived in the slums and have seen the atrocities that children go through. They are mistreated, abused and they have no one to stand up for them. I want to be their hope, their lawyer,” she says.
