YESS Girls launch Africa Green-Tech Generation Campaign

By Robina Asiimwe Sentumbwe

In January, Girl Guides launched an Africa regional environment campaign code named: The Africa Green Tech Generation Campaign. The campaign is aimed at using information technology and media to spread the message on the need for young people to take responsibility of environmental conservation and also plant at least 40,000 trees by July. 

Launched at Uganda Girl Guides' Kazi Camping site in Kampala in partnership with Trees for the Future, the campaign has taken off in eight African countries including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Burundi. 

Team Uganda planting trees

Girl Guides recognise that use of communication technology can have a unique impact on the environment in Africa. This campaign targets to use information technology (specifically mobile phones, radio and television) to make a contribution towards environmental protection.

During the campaign, the YESS girls have been securing partnerships with mobile companies and media houses in the eight countries for purposes of sensitising and guiding people to establish the African Green Generation.

The YESS girls are also encouraging schools, corporates and institutions to join the campaign by providing land to plant trees, by funding the green Generation Activities, etc.

Team Malawi in the studio

Through this campaign, the YESS Girls are undertaking a ‘one-girl; two-trees' campaign with a target of having a total of at least 10,000 trees planted in each of  eight Africa countries by July. This would mean a total of at least 80,000 new trees. Whoever plants the two trees will become a ‘Green Girl' and will be recognised as a member of the ‘Africa Green-Tech Generation'.

Uganda Girl Guides Association, a Member Organisation of the World Association of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, (WAGGGS), has already involved several schools in Uganda including Trinity College Nabbingo, Ebenezer schools in Mubende district, Kiganda Primary school, Butorogo Primary School, Nabingora Primary School and Bulamu Seed Secondary School, among others.

Green Tech in Mubende

They have also partnered with trees for the future and Eco Consults who have provided them with trees and also given them guidance on how best to plant trees among other things. So far, 615 trees have been planted and Uganda targets to have at least 5,000 trees planted by July.

The campaign is one of the activities undertaken by the girl guides participating in an International Youth Exchange Programme (the YESS Girls Movement) of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) in partnership with FK Norway, a Norwegian Government Agency. 

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is one of the world's six biggest youth organisations, working in 146 countries and with a membership of more than 10 million.   

The writer is the global programmes manager for the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts