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A young mayor brings change - including digitisation - to a city in Eastern Zambia. Could this be the start of Africa's "youth revolution"? Chakupa Phiri, bird story agency The sun is just beginning to cast long shadows over Chipata, a bustling city in Zambia's Eastern Province when a young man in a tastefully furnished room looks up from his work. With its national flag and smiling photos posted on the walls, this is the office of Zambia's youngest-ever mayor. George Mwanza might not be sitting in his office, however, if it were not for a single event that took place years earlier when he was just a boy from the far-off village of Ngocho. Mwanza recounted how, growing up poor in the village set amidst beautiful rolling hills and fields, he was able to go to school only because of the benevolence of an uncle. Then, disaster struck his family. After years of scraping together savings from her vegetable trade, Mwanza's mother, a vegetable trader, had acquired a small piece of land. However, a group of political cadres affiliated with the ruling party forcibly seized the land. Witnessing his mother's struggle and suffering had a profound impact on his early years, Mwanza recounted. He felt a growing sense of determination to confront injustice and to safeguard the rights of the defenceless, particularly women like his mother. The struggle for an education Another obstacle loomed when Mwanza reached Grade 10. At the time, he was attending Chizongwe Technical Boarding School where he expected to complete his secondary school education. However, the uncle who had been sponsoring his education lost his job. The setback left Mwanza with no apparent means to continue at school. He faced the very real and grim possibility of dropping out and returning to his village. However, fate intervened. At the time, an academic initiative designed to empower academically gifted students was being held across the country. Each province held its own competition, and Mwanza's school nominated him as their representative. Mwanza understood that victory was essential. Remarkably, he not only participated but also emerged as the first-place winner. With the prize money from the Young Achievers Zambia program - an initiative at that time of the United Nations and Barclays Bank - he was able to pay his school fees for the remaining years of his school education, including examination fees, upfront. He also saved some money from the prize money for his travel home after completing school. Evolution from adversity to determination and triumph At school, the young Mwanza served as the president of the Junior Engineers, Technicians and Scientists (JETS) club - a school club that has been in existence in Zambian high schools for over 50 years, the vice president of the debating club, and the president of the Youth Development Foundation. The experiences served to reinforce his belief that he could affect change and inspire others, he explained. His academic journey continued after school, initially studying Commerce. After setting up a business consultancy, he went back to studying, signing up for a BSc in Public Administration and Governance at Zambia Open University. He expects to graduate in 2024. He will be 30. In January 2016, Zambia's then-president, Edgar Lungu, signed into law an act that made the position of mayor an electoral position. Mwanza, at the time just 22, had become deeply concerned about the lack of sanitation facilities in markets where women marketers like his mother struggled to meet their basic needs, despite the council collecting fees from them. Vying for the position of mayor resonated with him, as it promised a unique chance to address the problems of the poorest in the city's compounds. However, there was a significant obstacle in his path. The ruling party at the time, the Patriotic Front, rejected him. They dismissed him as too young, too inexperienced, and without the deep pockets they felt he needed. His youth was viewed as a liability rather than an asset. That was something that Mwanza was determined to change. Running as an Independent After being denied a position in 2016, Mwanza made a promise to himself: if the established political parties would not support him, he would run as an independent candidate, driven solely by the people's power and by building trust. Between 2016 and 2021, he developed a five-year plan to prepare himself and establish a solid foundation for his campaign. Running as an independent candidate posed unique challenges. Established political parties had access to more resources and funding. Mwanza relied on the energy and dedication of his youthful supporters, who believed in his vision and were hungry for change. When the 2021 elections finally arrived, Mwanza, now 27, ran against a strong tide of political opinion and scepticism. Despite personalised, derogatory campaigns targeting his age and inexperience, Mwanza held on and his support base stood by him. The election results spoke volumes - he secured a resounding victory, with more than 27,000 votes separating him from the second-place candidate. He didn't see his triumph as his own, though; he saw it as a triumph for the youth, for the women and for the dreamers of Chipata, of Zambia, and of Africa. “My proudest moment is bringing the office of the mayor closer to the people because it is their office and I am the peoples' mayor,” he said of the victory. The challenges the young contender faced didn't disappear after the campaign, however. When he assumed office, Mwanza faced resistance from older members of the local government who questioned his ability. "I think the challenge is that political parties are more rigid in Zambia when it comes to age, this is why they need to have leadership training programmes to train the youth in their ranks. We need more youth leaders. They have more energy and ideas to lead us into the future. We always say young people are the future, but they are also the now, so we need them to be fully involved in leadership," offered Zambian political analyst and University of Zambia lecturer, Alex Ngoma. Mwanza's answer was to ensure his actions demonstrated positive change. A City in Need As mayor, Mwanza embarked on a mission to transform Chipata. He addressed critical issues that had long plagued the city. One of his earliest achievements was clearing salary arrears for city workers, who had endured ten months without pay. This single accomplishment not only relieved the workers of their financial burden but also rebuilt their trust in the local government. Waste management was another persistent problem faced by the city. Chipata had been without a proper dumping site for fifteen years, polluting the city's main water source. Mwanza opened a new dumping site, paving the way for recycling initiatives and waste reduction. He also recognised the need for modernised services. Through his efforts, the city began transitioning to e-government service delivery, enabling quicker responses to service requests and inquiries. A partnership with a German city led to the acquisition of fifty laptops for the city, which aided in digitalization efforts and enhanced transparency and revenue generation while improving service delivery. One of the most significant new projects was the construction of soon-to-be commissioned modern restrooms in the market. According to Ngoma, Mayor Mwanza's election has heralded a new dawn for Chipata. "The one thing about Mayor Mwanza is that he is proving that young people can do it. He resolved issues at the Chipata City Council, and the town is more vibrant as a result. He is really showing us that young people are capable of leading," he said. Yet the young mayor's vision extends well beyond his initial successes. He aspires to transform Chipata into a model city that addresses issues like climate change, has a new road infrastructure, and achieves full digitalization to enhance services and value for the city's residents. His dream is to create a city where families can thrive and young innovators can discover endless opportunities. Amplifying youth activism Mwanza's active involvement in the Young Elected Officials of Africa (YELO) African mayor network highlights his dedication to regional unity and youth empowerment. As vice president at the African level and leader for Southern Africa, Mwanza has been able to amplify the voice of youth leadership. His journey also exemplifies the immense potential of youth in leadership roles and underscores the reality that young leaders, armed with determination and community support, can wield a profound influence. “Mayor George Mwanza serves as an inspiring young leader whose unwavering commitment to education and literacy shines brightly. While the USAID Let's Read Project tirelessly strives to enhance reading proficiency among early-grade students from pre-primary through grade 3, Mayor Mwanza has also been actively involved in supporting local schools by providing them with access to safe drinking water. His contributions include the installation of several boreholes to ensure schools have a reliable water source. Both on a project-wide and personal scale, he has passionately championed the cause of our educational institutions," commented Godfrey Chitalu, the Eastern Province Office Manager for the USAID Let's Read project. But Mwanza's is part of a far wider story, according to Ngoma. "His victory, I think, is part of a bigger movement from around the world. Young people are assuming political seats, so the Zambian political landscape is also changing due to this global change occurring. Young Zambians are seeing their global peers get into political seats, this is encouraging them to vote for each other," he shared. Meanwhile, Chipata has discovered a symbol of hope. "My greatest source of pride lies in bridging the gap between the mayor's office and the people, for it is their office, and I am undeniably the people's mayor," Mwanza said. bird story agency

Rashida Nyirongo discovered theatre early but could only capitalise on her talent years later. Now, the so-called Drama Queen of Chipata is getting the recognition she has craved since childhood. Linda Ng’ombe and Chikondi Phiri, bird story agency Rashida Nyirongo is a busy woman. She juggles studio commitments, which take up around 3 hours most weekdays, with a life full of advocacy and community-oriented engagements. Her regular work on Radio Maria Zambia, Feel Free Radio, Breeze FM and Smooth Radio have helped ensure that the woman known as the Drama Queen of Chipata is a familiar voice for millions of listeners in eastern Zambia. She is also a voice for the downtrodden. Nyirongo's current work seems a far cry from her early childhood dream of getting an education and working in a bank. But her parents, who have since passed away, had to work and study abroad and Nyirongo grew up primarily in the care of her grandmother. While her grandmother's home was a nurturing environment, Nyirongo’s academic journey took a different direction from what she had initially expected. “As I started my academic journey in grade one at Mpezeni Primary School, I discovered a deep passion for the performing arts,” Nyirongo shared. That passion would soon eclipse her original dreams. Fascinated with the world of drama, Nyirongo immersed herself in her school's drama group, a decision that shifted her focus away from academic pursuits. As time went on, her dedication to the stage grew stronger, and this passion led her to join a then multi-award-winning community drama group known as Mwananga Theatre. “My academic dreams of working in a bank were put aside when I joined one of Chipata's most prominent drama groups, Mwananga, under the leadership of Musatelo Mwale,” she said. It was here that she found her calling as a charming dancer, and her talent began to blossom. The decision, however, was met with mixed feelings from her family, as sometimes she bared her body to entertain. Her departure from traditional academics to the world of arts was a source of confusion and disappointment for her family, who wanted her to get a formal education. Nyirongo's journey took a new direction as she continuously skipped school. It all came to a head when she finally dropped out of school at age 13. Even as a grade seven dropout, however, financial stability came early for Nyirongo. Her newfound independence allowed her to work odd jobs which allowed her to buy what she needed, and she felt mature and in control of her life. “My contentment with my achievements allowed me to focus on honing my acting skills,” she shared. However, this early independence quickly devolved into dangerous and risky behaviour. Due to a growing lack of funding at the Mwananga Theatre, she turned to commercial sex work. “It was a challenging chapter in my life, but it was also a period of growth and transformation and it came when HIV was ravaging cities,” she disclosed. During this difficult time, a women and youth organisation named Kwacha Kummawa played a pivotal role in Nyirongo’s life. The organisation's mission was to help sex workers transform their lives and find a path to other work fields. The organisation encouraged Nyirongo and her peers to break free from the cycle of sex work. Nyirongo embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly, getting involved with the organisation and working to help other sex workers. The initiative changed not only her life but that of many of her co-workers, too and is one that she has supported until the present day. Florence Zimba, programme manager at Kwacha Kummawa described Nyirongo as one of the few women adopters who work tirelessly to change the landscape of Chipata. “Her commitment to transforming her life and that of her friends made a difference in the nightlife industry of Chipata City,” Zimba said. Kwacha Kummawa founder Josephine Chitalu explained that Nyirongo’s leadership was vital to their drive to have sex workers attend training programs. “Under the banner of 'Chipata After Dark' we aimed at raising awareness and bringing about change in the lives of sex workers,” Chitalu said. Nyirongo also discovered that her passion for drama, combined with a determination to make things happen meant she was able to use the arts as a means of educating and inspiring her community. She performed skits, engaged in educative dance dramas, and conducted outreach activities in the low-income neighbourhoods of Chipata, a journey that soon made her a popular figure. Life took another significant turn for her when she got married and started a family. But once again, fate intervened. “It was all rosy until my husband started drinking heavily. It led to misunderstandings in our marriage and we decided to mutually separated,” Nyirongo shared. Criticism from family members, echoed by childhood friends and neighbours, led Nyirongo into depression. This gave birth to negative thoughts that affected her drama career. It led her to abuse alcohol. “Those horrible days seemed so long and not promising but I still believed in myself to make a difference despite my experiences,” she said. In her late 30s, Nyirongo made the courageous decision to return to school, enrolling in an adult literacy class. During her time at Mwananga Theatre, Nyirongo had been introduced to the production of community radio shows under USAID's Zambia Community Radio Program and Let's Read Project. Once again, past experiences helped to turn her life around. “I was encouraged to enroll in adult literacy lessons at a school run by a pastor,” she said. She welcomed the idea and was instantly enrolled in Grade 5. In just a few weeks, she was moved to Grade 7 and registered for external examinations. When she sat for the Grade 7 composite exams that year, she passed with flying colours and was selected for Grade 8. “I completed my education and managed to obtain a good GCE certificate in 2014. I have been hired by different organisations and I am currently working part-time with BBC Media Africa and conducting adverts for various firms and people,” she shared. Nyirongo has also remarried to a “more understanding and caring man.” The new love of her life also supported and accepted her without any conditions. Currently, Nyirongo is a board member of Tikondane Drama Group, a theatre group that was recognized as an upcoming group at the 2019 Ngoma Awards, Zambia’s premier creative arts awards. She has also starred in a popular local soap opera, Kabanana. Nyirongo also continues to educate sex workers in Chipata through dance and theatre work. "The problem with the commercial sex trade is that even the people we help counsel sometimes do not want to talk about their old lives. We can only learn from others if they are open to talk about their adversities. Chipata has changed tremendously because of the actions of women like me who are open about the change we want," she explained. Nyirongo hopes to own a theatre and studio to help youths survive in the future. Her Drama Queen status has also appeared to have been cemented, as she is in the running for the Most Outstanding Community Theatre – Female category at the 2023 Ngoma Awards to be held on 12 December, 2023. bird story agency

A volunteer teacher-in-charge is bringing education to an underserved community that battles underdevelopment and human-animal conflicts in eastern Zambia. Linda Ngombe, bird story agency Class is in session at Musasawanyama Community School and Charles Mvula is teaching with a confidence that belies his years or the enormity of the responsibility he shoulders. He makes every minute count because, in this remote community in eastern Zambia, access to the school, for both pupils and teachers, is far from guaranteed. All too often, nature gets in the way. "Most of the time, our pupils cannot attend school because the paths are obstructed, especially by elephants. Someone who did not grow up here would not last a week," Mvula explained. The community is located close to Lukusuzi National Park and while the park is a protected area, reaching communities in the area by road requires tenacity and perseverance. According to Mvula, the government and local Red Cross have occasionally had to provide canoes when severe flooding cut all access. Development in this community, like others around the park, has been slow, and for years the school did not offer much in the way of an education. "However these challenges do not deter us from moving forward," said the young teacher, who is determined to see changes in the community, starting with education. For that to happen, schoolchildren need to be in school and have access to learning materials. "Even when we encounter occasional heavy floods, we remain determined to ensure that our pupils receive their lessons, except in cases where it becomes physically impossible to do so," he added. Thanks to the determination of Mvula and a range of new teaching materials and techniques introduced at the school, things have already begun to change. Today, Musasawanyama Community School is a symbol of hope for the community it serves. While they lack desks and enough classroom blocks to cater to all learners, the school is rich in literacy programs in and outside its environment. Mathias Miti is the assistant District Resource Centre Coordinator for Lumezi District has witnessed this literacy-rich environment. "We have visited the school and we were impressed to see that students could read with fluency. Charles fosters a love for learning among his students... As a district, we have seen an improvement in literacy levels in pupils from Musasawanyama," Miti shared. What is more remarkable is that the school is run entirely by volunteers. The dedication of a true educator Mvula was born in the rural community of Lundazi, adjacent to the game park. His upbringing, influenced by the lack of schools within walkable distance of primary school-going children, fuelled a passion for teaching that has seen him dedicate over five years to Musasawanyama Community School, where today he is not only a teacher-in-charge, but has also taken on the role of administrator. Mvula has three volunteer teachers working alongside him. While Mvula lacks formal training, a number of initiatives have allowed him to leverage his passion and develop teaching skills that were not available to teachers in the recent past. Those include the GRACE holiday training sessions, organized by Zambia's Ministry of Education. The sessions serve to enhance teaching skills and methodologies and allow teachers to tap into a whole host of supporting programs and local and international initiatives. GRACE, which stands for Grade Meetings At Resource Centres, also serves as a tech platform that teachers can use to improve aspects of their work, like lesson planning and delivery. Mvula, who holds a Grade 12 certificate, is also working to improve his academic credentials through the General Certificate of Education (GCE) program. In the face of the challenges experienced by the school, Mvula is proud to report a 75% improvement in literacy among the over 100 pupils, ranging from grades one to seven. He's certain of that improvement because progress is tracked through a Performance Tracking System facilitated by the USAID Let’s Read Project. Let's Read, which is sponsored by the US government, also provides learning materials and other support to schools like Mvula's and works to showcase the positive impact of targeted interventions at schools in the region. Overcoming challenges, nurturing dreams At first glance, Mvula’s school seems the perfect partner for technological disruption. It has enthusiastic learners and an administrator who is happy to try new options to ensure learners get the best out of their school environment. Indeed, across Africa, educational technology, or EdTech, is experiencing significant growth. A report by GSMA, a global mobile industry association, highlights that there has been a steady increase in the number of EdTech initiatives, with a particular focus on mobile-based solutions, due to the expansion of mobile internet coverage on the continent. "Teachers won't face delays due to unforeseen circumstances such as floods or animal attacks, ensuring a smoother educational process,” said Mvula, explaining the opportunities that Ed-Tech solutions offer. "The right tools for locals has the potential to boost attendance and enrolment rates significantly,” Mvula explained, adding that with technology, learners are also less impacted by teacher absenteeism or bad roads. "By providing support for teachers in various tasks, technology lightens their workload, allowing them more room for effective teaching. Unlike humans, educational technology resources are tireless and can work tirelessly for extended periods." However, Mvula is also realistic about the scale at which EdTech can impact remote areas like the community in which he teaches. "In regions like Chitala which has no electricity, implementing EdTech becomes a challenging if not impossible endeavour – there is (a) need to build in-country capacity. The cost of acquiring EdTech gadgets is often prohibitive, particularly for community schools and governments are not eager to invest in such seemingly bottomless ventures,” he admitted. "The introduction of new gadgets can sometimes evoke fear among students but the major issue is a holistic approach from government,” he added. The reality is that in places like Lukusuzi National Park, the situation is starkly different from that of the board rooms of tech hubs in Zambia and other African countries. While the GSMA report mentions that around 95% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa is covered by mobile broadband networks, in Zambia, reach remains uneven. According to a report by eLearning Africa, only about 6% of schools in Zambia have internet access, severely limiting the implementation and impact of EdTech initiatives. Infrastructure gaps, unreliable power supply, lack of internet connectivity, and limited access to devices mean that while there is a willingness to adapt, there is no infrastructure. Moreover, many educators lack the necessary training to effectively utilise EdTech tools. That makes educators like Mvula and the support of local, physical initiatives like GRACE key to continued improvements in local education - something that is recognised by the villagers in the area. "Charles's unwavering commitment and compassion in offering free education to children, while many volunteers have moved on to other opportunities, is truly inspiring,” Gibson Nyirongo, a parent from Harrison Village, said. "What stands out about Charles is his remarkable work ethic, kindness, consideration, and patience in dealing with both parents and children, with his dedication to his job as a top priority. Charles has been with us through thick and thin and our children are inspired by his dedication to duty,” said Judith Banda, a parent from Madumera Village. Mvula himself remains very aware of the shortcomings faced by the school, due to its remote location - as well as the natural obstacles faced by learners and teachers, every day. His prayer is that some of his students will in future study internet technology (IT) and other subjects that will enable them, too, to make a difference in communities like Musasawanyama. “I’m happy that some of my students have gone to secondary schools. My students have different aspirations and many of them dream to become medical staff and teachers. We have a few wanting that odd job of a pilot, soldier and engineer. Nurses, doctors and teachers is always on the lips of my students,” Mvula said. bird story agency

A mother's ordeal in northeastern Zambia inspired a rural community to turn to a forgotten community development funding tool to repair an almost impassable road. Now the community has two thriving secondary schools and a primary school for 500 learners. Malama Mwape, bird story agency When 42-year-old Mary Chirwa experienced the sudden onset of overdue labour pains associated with the birth of a third child, her location in Dilika Ward, a stunning area of rolling hills and savannah landscapes, suddenly seemed extremely remote. The area had for years suffered the blight of poorly maintained roads and a glaring absence of essential infrastructure, leaving the community to get along on determination alone. Schoolchildren in the area navigated the remains of the broken main road daily, in order to get to and from school, an impossible task in heavy rain. When intensifying labour pains that night prompted Chirwa and her husband to head to the nearest medical facility, Magwero Clinic, it soon became clear that a longer journey would be needed. Medical advice led them to requisition a vehicle to take them the 11 kilometres to the General Hospital in the local city, Chipata, despite the road’s deplorable condition. "I feared going on the long trip to the main hospital in Chipata fully knowing that my pregnancy was overdue," Chirwa recalled. But the dilemma didn't end there. Mary Chirwa found herself wrestling with other concerns. "The discomfort of the private vehicle attributed to the bad Magwero Chipata road triggered extra fears that I might lose my pregnancy. I was also worried that the vehicle was too slow to allow us to arrive on time to seek medication in Chipata, but then if it drove fast, it would affect my pregnancy," she lamented. In the end, the most harrowing part of Mary's journey was the slow speed, thanks to the driver who was all too aware he was transporting a patient with an emergency condition. Dilika, which lies just across the border from Malawi's Mehinji Forest Reserve in northeastern Malawi, is part of the Chipata constituency, one of 156 constituencies nationwide. For years had been virtually forgotten, its farming potential stunted by poor infrastructure, and its inhabitants virtually abandoned by the central government. The birth of Mary Chirwa's child would change that. Community-Driven Change Bubbling below the surface of Zambia's social order at the time of Chirwa's pregnancy was a growing political tide that would a year later, as described by one news agency, see opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema secure a "stunning landslide victory" over incumbent Edgar Lungu in Zambia's presidential election in August 2021. Across Zambia, community-led initiatives began looking for mechanisms to help them on a journey of self-help and empowerment. One tool at their disposal was Ward Development Committees, which began springing up in constituencies across the country. Dilika was no different. As Chirwa and her husband undertook their perilous drive to hospital that night in 2020, a social tide was already in full flow. The vehicle they had hitched a lift in also lacked proper suspension, intensifying Chirwa's discomfort. As the vehicle navigated the rough terrain, every bump sent excruciating waves of pain through her expectant body. The journey degenerated into an ordeal of extreme proportions with the agitation of the couple growing as the labour progressed. Then, at the site of a perennial stream, it ground to a halt as the inevitable miracle occurred and Chirwa gave birth to a healthy child, despite the extreme circumstances. A rallying cry for a new road News of the event spread swiftly through the surrounding Magwero communities, uniting them with a shared understanding that something had to be done about the Magwero-Chipata Road. Soon Chirwa’s ordeal became the talk of the community. The talk turned into action. Sidestepping local officialdom, the locally-established Ward Development Community took things into their own hands, raising funds and constructing four key bridges along the same road. The Magwero WDC's nine members seized on an opportunity provided by Zambia's Central Development Fund, or CDF. The CDF operates as a governmental fund administered through local authorities to carry out community development projects through small-scale community investments. It was established by Zambia's government at the time as a means to encourage local development in rural and urban communities across the country. Under WDC Chairperson Simasiku Sinyinda, the Magwero committee identified and prioritized the community's concerns and then tapped the Central Development Fund to ensure that the developments they identified were funded. Magwero's schools a priority Chirwa, too, played an active role. After she had returned home with her baby, she began to agitate for change, becoming a focus of activism, as well as a rallying cry for the region. For Chirwa, it was important that any improvements to the Magwero-Chipata Road address access to schools. The area houses the Eastern Province's sole school for the deaf and blind, making road improvements crucial for accessibility and education. “The road is home to Magwero School for the Blind and Magwero School for the Deaf. What is development if such an important area housing two vital schools is neglected?” she said. Prioritising the neglected road was also essential for Magwero to capitalise on its high agricultural productivity, being home to bumper harvests of vegetables, potatoes, soya, and maize. Government recognition and action A dedicated team analysed the proposal, presented it to the city council, and secured the allocation of CDF funding for the four bridges' construction. Over time, the CDF disbursed nearly 250, 000 Kwacha (about 12,000 United States Dollars) for each bridge, leading to significant improvements. The quality of work impressed local lawmakers and drew the central government’s attention. Through the efforts of regional MP, Reuben Mtolo Phiri, an additional 3.4 million Kwacha grant was secured under the Road Development Agency (RDA) to fully regrade the road. The grant acknowledged the CDF’s outstanding work. The road was commissioned by Phiri in May 2023. Eastern Province RDA Regional Manager Ivwananji Sikombe highlighted the road restoration's impact - including ensuring safe access for students and facilitating the movement of teaching and learning resources, household necessities, and agricultural produce. “Our role is to listen to the cries of the people and work for the good of all,” Sikombe said. District Education Board Secretary Gabriel Chutu expressed his gratitude for the community's efforts, recognizing the life-changing impact on students’ education. “We applaud the good works being done on the road that leads to our two boarding schools for the deaf and blind. Pupils will find it easier to go to the two schools,” Chutu said, while WDC Chairperson Simasiku Sinyinda has taken to using the community's efforts as an example for others to follow, describing the work as "very important because of the two Magwero Schools for the Blind and Deaf, where teachers and substantial (USAID Let’s Read Project) Teaching and Learning Materials have been provided.” Constituency Development Funds for the area have since skyrocketed from a modest 1.6 million kwacha (about US$76,300) to 28.3 million kwacha (approximately US$1.35 million) and has since been increased again in the 2024 budget announced on 29th September 2023 from the current 28.3 million to 30.6 million kwacha (about US$1.446 million). Teachers over the moon Established by the Dutch Reformed Church in the late 1840s as primary schools, the two Magwero schools have since been upgraded to encompass secondary education and today, the freshly constructed road not only provides access to two exceptional schools but also serves as a vital route for Magwero Standard Primary School, which accommodates over 500 students. The accomplishments of the WDC brought immense joy to Norah Ngoza Banda and Khumbiza Phiri, both highly regarded special education teachers and administrators who have collectively overseen the Deaf and Blind schools for a total of two decades. “The road has ushered in a profound transformation in our lives and in the lives of our vulnerable pupils at the schools in Dilika,” they expressed in unison. Throughout it all, Mary Chirwa acted as the innate driving force, as acknowledged by Reverend Aston Mbewe of the Reformed Church in Zambia who expressed his eternal gratitude, stating that he would "forever cherish the joy of being a contented reverend, knowing that the two schools now have the benefit of an all-weather road." “I can describe giving birth in transit to the hospital as a blessing as it opened a door for this road to be worked on, and no other woman will have to go through what I went through. As I look back on my journey, I see a road not just of challenges but of miracles, a road that has transformed my community, my children’s education, and family’s future,” Chirwa said. Chirwa is now advocating the addition of asphalt to the gravel road. “Aluta continua,” she proclaimed. bird story agency

Living in a remote community with no internet, Dalab Zimba had to resort to extreme measures to keep his school going - whether that was journeying out across the countryside to visit his learners, growing food or taking up brickmaking. Now he has ambitions to ensure his efforts impact society. Oscar Mugabi Zulu, bird story agency When the COVID-19 pandemic struck his rural community, Dalab Zimba, the headmaster of a local private school knew that if his students did not pass the year, his school would fail as a business. So he came up with extreme measures to keep his students learning. Lacking the infrastructure for online learning, he became the network. Masked up and remaining outdoors, Zimba would visit his school's students one by one, walking vast distances across the countryside in northeastern Zambia. At each student's home, he would distribute teaching materials and ensure that the student was kept up to date. "For government workers, they could stay home without teaching and still have a salary at the end of the month. So I was also thinking of my teachers and myself by continuing to teach students at their homes," said the headmaster of Chachacha Primary School. It may have been due to pure necessity but the community has never forgotten the extreme lengths Zimba went to, to educate their children. Today, Covid is just one of many obstacles that have stood in the way of the 28-year-old headmaster, whose few years belie a full and diverse journey in education. From Volunteer to Leader In the village where Zimba grew up, a multitude of eager learners and a dearth of teachers was an obvious problem. Encouraged by a mentor and determined to pursue a diploma in education, Zimba persuaded the community to sponsor his tertiary education through distance learning at Nkhrumah University. The young man's teaching journey commenced in 2015 when he served as a volunteer teacher at Chachacha Primary, under the guidance of the school's founder. When the founder was transferred to a school in the country's Chipata District, she asked Zimba to carry on her legacy. "My journey was profoundly influenced by my mentor Oline Gwenzi and her husband Sunday Nketani. She gave me the opportunity to lead the school... The couple instilled hope and ignited my passion for education," he explained. Zimba took up the challenge and embarked on the tough task of transforming a school that had little to no infrastructure. He recruited volunteer teachers and soon the team was leading the school to victory in numerous zonal and district competitions. An annual enrollment of 32 learners a year has mushroomed to 280, with the school providing a lifeline for many families as it is the closest school in the district. Though the private school operates as a business, many learners are subsidised. "Parents of each learner pay 110 kwacha (about US$5.19) per school term. But you'll find that nine children are coming from one household so if you multiply that 110 by 9, it's too much for one household here," Zimba explained. Zimba's vision extends well beyond the walls of the school. He sees innovation in education as essential to raising educational standards and building a dedicated teaching workforce that can deliver quality education and foster an educated citizenry. To improve the school infrastructure, Zimba took up brickmaking for constructing new school buildings. Currently, the school has two blocks, each with three classrooms Luckily, Chachacha is also set in a region of Zambia renowned for its fertile land. So, in addition to his educational endeavours, Zimba has become an avid farmer, using his agricultural pursuits to support the school - and his wife and two children. A flourishing garden and poultry operation contribute not only to his household income but also to the remuneration of the school's teachers. Expanding Educational Horizons: The Vision for a Comprehensive School Looking to the future, Zimba dreams of expanding the school to offer education from pre-school to secondary level. He has engaged his area Member of Parliament, Misheck Nyambose who connected him with the Ward Development Committee for potential funding. "I hope these funds will facilitate the construction of additional classrooms and teacher accommodation, ultimately motivating the teaching staff," Zimba said. Zimba added that while the resources have been meagre, his teachers appreciate that there is some compensation at the end of each month. In addition, Chachacha Primary School has received funding from non-governmental organisations, like USAID. "I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Let's Read Project for their invaluable support, providing materials, equipping us with tablets and equipping us with tablets, enabling us to gauge our performance through empirical evidence via standardised literacy assessments. Also, through unwavering determination, our school gained recognition from UNICEF, resulting in the provision of extra teaching and learning materials. These strides affirm our path towards progress," he disclosed. Throughout his journey, the surrounding communities of Chama town have rallied behind Zimba's mission to develop the school. The community has actively supported school construction efforts by producing bricks and contributing to the school's growth. "My hope for Chachacha is to have a boarding school and to one day own a college to make it easier for the communities around to access school from reception to college," Zimba concluded. bird story agency

STORY NAME: A CORAL REEF CHAMPION HERALDS NEW LIFE, OPPORTUNITIES LOCATION: KURUWITU VILLAGE, KENYA DATE SHOT: 13/10/22 SOUND: NATURAL SOUND WITH ENGLISH SPEECH DURATION: 3:30 SOURCE: BIRD STORY AGENCY RESTRICTIONS: NONE ASPECT RATIO: 16.9 ORIGINAL FRAME RATE: 24 fps (progressive). INTRO: Fishers from Kilifi on the shores of the Indian Ocean have created the Kuruwitu Conservation & Welfare Association, an initiative they are using to conserve fish through the coral restoration with the long-term goal of restoring fish quantity in the ocean. SHOTLIST 1. FISH SWIMMING AROUND RESTORED CORAL REEFS 2. VARIOUS OF CLEANING CORAL BED NURSERY UNDER THE OCEAN BED 3. KATANA CLEANING THE CORAL BED NURSERY 4. TOURIST: LOTTIE PROSSER, PLACING CORALS ON CONCRETE STRUCTURE DURING SNORKELLING 5. KATANA PLACING BACK THE CORALS ON THE BED 6. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH): KATANA NGALA, CORAL RESTORATION TECHNICIAN, OCEAN ALIVE TRUST, SAYING: "You have to look the coral, where the coral is growing, when there is coral in algae which can stop the coral to overgrow on the plug, you have to scratch it using the knife ." 7. SCRATCHING OFF ALGAE ON CORAL 8. FISH SWIMMING AROUND RESTORED CORAL REEFS 9. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH): KATANA NGALA, CORAL RESTORATION TECHNICIAN, OCEAN ALIVE TRUST, SAYING: " Climate change is affecting the coral reef because you know when it is warm in the sea, it affects coral because the coral starts to lose the cell, the tiny algae cell." 10. VARIOUS OF THE BEACH 11. KATANA WALKING TO THE RESTORATION CENTRE 12. VARIOUS OF NURSERY CORALS 13. VARIOUS OF CORALS ON NURSERY CORAL BED 14. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH): KATANA NGALA, CORAL RESTORATION TECHNICIAN, OCEAN ALIVE TRUST, SAYING: " After nursering the coral of the coral bed then the main work you have to do, the day you’re going to nurse it, you have to leave it there for about one to two weeks so that the coral sticks very well on the plug." 15. CONCRETE MIXING 16. VARIOUS OF CONCRETE BRICKS NURSERY STRUCTURES WITH CORAL 17. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH): KATANA NGALA, CORAL RESTORATION TECHNICIAN, OCEAN ALIVE TRUST, SAYING: " The day that we are going to do our planting on this structure, then more fish are being attracted. " 18. FISH SWIMMING 19. KATANA WALKING WITH OTHER FISHERMEN TO THE OCEAN 20. TOURIST: LOTTIE PROSSER & KATANA PLACING CORALS ON CONCRETE STRUCTURE DURING SNORKELLING 21. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH): KATANA NGALA, CORAL RESTORATION TECHNICIAN, OCEAN ALIVE TRUST, SAYING: "Since I practiced to do the coral reef restoration in the ocean, I as myself can say fish has increased." 22. FISH SWIMMING AROUND RESTORED CORAL REEFS 23. BEACH SHORE STORY

STORY NAME: ERICK NJUGUNA ON DECARBONIZATION WITH OTHER ACTIVISTS AT COP 27 LOCATION: SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT DATE SHOT: 11/11/22 SOUND: NATURAL SOUND WITH ENGLISH SPEECH DURATION: 2:59 SOURCE: BIRD STORY AGENCY RESTRICTIONS: NONE ASPECT RATIO: 16.9 ORIGINAL FRAME RATE: 24 fps (progressive). INTRO: We speak to Erick Njuguna, Kenyan climate activist, and Vanessa Nakate as they address the youth press conference at "Africa's cop". SHOTLIST 1. ACTIVISTS HOLDING POSTERS DEMONSTRATING 2. ERICK NJUNGUNA, KENYAN CLIMATE ACTIVIST WITH THE OTHER ACTIVISTS 3. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH): MODERATOR AT COP 27, SAYING: “Welcome to the youth conference that we are hosting here at COP27. I don’t wanna take up any time so I’m gonna hand over straight to the fantastic young people that we have on the panel today who are going to introduce themselves and say some words. Over to you all.” 4. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH): ERICK NJUGUNA, KENYAN CLIMATE ACTIVIST, SAYING: “What looks like something that comes out of a dystopian storybook is the reality for many Kenyans right now who are facing severe drought that is putting millions at severe risk of hunger and from a community which is dependent on livestock for survival and for their basic livelihood, this livestock is dying in millions. Africa is not only bearing the brunt of the climate crisis but is also the least prepared when it comes to early warning systems.” 5. AUDIENCE APPLAUDING 6. VANESSA NAKATE, UGANDAN CLIMATE ACTIVIST, HOLDING A PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION 7. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH): VANESSA NAKATE, UGANDAN CLIMATE ACTIVIST, SAYING: “The oil and gas that fossil fuel companies want to develop in Africa will not be for Africans. That oil and gas will be loaded onto ships and get shipped to Europe and the profits from that new fossil fuel development will lie in the pockets of people who are already very rich. And when the new fossil fuel infrastructure has to become obsolete in the next couple of decades, the resulting debt will suffocate Africans who are already drowning in existing debt. The only way to help lift people out of energy poverty is through distributed renewable energy. 8. ERICK NJUGUNA, CLIMATE ACTIVIST, IN CONVERSATION WITH OTHER ACTIVISTS. 9. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH): ERICK NJUGUNA, KENYAN CLIMATE ACTIVIST, SAYING: “Climate finance is supporting communities to adapt to the climate crisis and to help them mitigate but now we are reaching a point where because action has not been taken and we are at a point where it’s beyond a point where we can adapt to and that is why we are demanding for a greater creation of a separate loss and damage finance facility to support communities like communities in Kenya who are bearing the brunt of the drought right now.” 10. VARIOUS OF MORE CLIMATE ACTIVISTS IN PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION

Africa's geothermal potential is huge, particularly in the Rift Valley, which extends from the Horn of Africa to Malawi. In East Africa alone, the potential capacity is over 20 GW. Kenya is the leading producer of geothermal energy in Africa and aims to produce over 50% of its power from geothermal energy by 2030. Steam seen rising from Olkaria III, located in Hell's Gate National Park in the Olkaria region of Kenya on April 26, 2023.( Photo: Thuku Kariuki, bird story agency) Thuku Kariuki, bird story agency Africa's geothermal potential is huge, particularly in the Rift Valley, which extends from the Horn of Africa to Malawi. According to the United Nations Environment Program and the Infrastructure Consortium, the geothermal potential capacity for eastern Africa is more than 20 GW. Kenya is the leading producer of geothermal energy in Africa and is ranked among the top ten in the world. The Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KENGEN) currently generates 799 megawatts (MW) from geothermal steam, which is found deep underground in the Rift Valley but aims to produce over 50% of its power from geothermal energy by 2030. The world's largest geothermal power producer is the United States, with 3,794MW, while Iceland, which produces 99% of its electricity from renewable resources, uses geothermal for 20% of its energy needs. Geothermal accounts for over 40% of Kenya's power. The Olkaria Geothermal Power Plants, which is the largest geothermal power complex in Kenya, is owned and operated by KENGEN. According to Cyrus Karingithi, the Resource Development and Infrastructure Manager at Kengen, drilling and generating power from a single geothermal source can cost up to US$6 million. The first geothermal plant in Kenya was built 42 years ago with a capacity to generate 45 MW of power. The country now aims to increase the amount of geothermal to supply over 50% of its power needs by 2030. (Pictures 1 ) Olkaria III is located in the Hell's Gate National Park in the Olkaria region of Kenya and has a total of 139 MW installed capacity. It started operations in 2000, with a capacity of 13 MW. The geothermal well emitting smoke in Olkaria, Naivasha Kenya, April 26, 2023. (Photo : Thuku Kariuki, bird story agency) (Picture 2) A KenGen Wellhead Power Station at Olakaria A wellhead is a miniature power plant with all the components of a standard power plant. Each wellhead generates 5 to 6 megawatts of power. A KenGen Wellhead Power Station at Olkaria, Naivasha Kenya, April 26, 2023. (Photo : Thuku Kariuki, bird story agency) A wellhead can be installed within six months, while a big power plant takes about 36 months. KenGen has 16 wellheads generating 83.5 megawatts. One megawatt can power 5000 homes. (Pictures 3 ) Located in the Olkaria area in Kenya's Hell's Gate National Park, the Olkaria V geothermal plant is a 165MW geothermal power project. A section of the giant pipes used for channelling steam at the Olkaria V geothermal plant in Olkaria, Naivasha Kenya, April 26, 2023. (Photo ; Thuku Kariuki, bird story agency) (Pic 4 & 6) Steam from a geothermal plant is seen rising behind a hot water pool at a spa in Olkaria, Naivasha Kenya, April 26, 2023. (Photo ; Thuku Kariuki, bird story agency) The geothermal spa hot water pool at Olkaria is one of the largest natural hot water pools in Africa. The spa consists of 3 cascading ponds that receive geothermal water collected from wells inside the Olkaria geothermal field. bird story agency

The continent will be responsible for over 11% of all gas supplies by 2050, study finds. Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Africa's gas share in the global market will increase to over 11% of all gas supplies by 2050, according to a report by Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), from 6% in 2021. Production is projected to increase from 260 billion cubic meters in 2021, to 585 billion cubic meters in 2050, on the back of the maximal exploitation of local energy resources by governments. This will make Africa responsible for the second-largest growth in gas supply, by volume, globally, after the Middle East during the period. GECF is an intergovernmental organisation that provides a framework for exchanging experience and information among its 12 member countries and seven observer countries. From Africa, the report features Algeria, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Nigeria, Angola and Mozambique. Africa's share of global gas supply will nearly double by 2050 - report [ Image source: Unsplash] According to the report, the demand for natural gas in the continent will rise by 82% by 2050, and gas will account for 30% of Africa's energy mix. With renewables, gas will be crucial in driving energy access across the continent. Besides Africa using natural gas to alleviate energy poverty in the continent, it will also be key to economic growth. "The narrative that Africa should not develop its natural resources, particularly natural gas … it is misguided," said Mohamed Hamel, the Secretary General of GECF. "A prosperous Africa will be more capable to protect its environment. The right of Africa to develop its vast natural resources can be preserved, and its access to finance and technology, facilitated," he explained. Africa's population is expected to increase from 1.4 billion to 2.5 billion by 2050, increasing the demand for resources, among them energy. With about 900 million people in need of clean cooking fuels and another 600 million in need of reliable electricity, natural gas will play a key function in alleviating energy poverty. Increased investment in Africa's rich gas reserves and the revival of LNG, especially for exports, will facilitate the achievement of the projections. It is estimated that African LNG export capacity will reach 199 million tonnes per annum for the period, with Mozambique, Nigeria, Mauritania and Senegal driving this increase. However, the lion's share of the supply is expected from Nigeria and Mozambique, contributing more than 63% of Africa's natural gas output. Already, active investments have been pitched in these countries, pointing to the potential the sector holds. According to the report, midstream investment in the sector is expected to be driven by the new projects in Mozambique, Tanzania and Mauritania. Nigeria, Egypt and Senegal will also contribute critically to Africa's sector thanks to the newly launched projects. Overall, GECF estimates that investment spending in Africa's natural gas will top US$115 billion, roughly 61% of the total expected in the 2030s. "US$33 billion will be allocated this decade, 2021-30; about US$70 billion – the next decade, 2031-40; and US$12 billion - in 2041-50." Gabriel Lima, Equatorial Guinea's Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons and also president of the GECF, considers the report a progressive indication for the sector. "The uncertainties have never been so large, and the challenges so profound," he expressed, referring especially to Africa. "What is nevertheless clearer, and more crucial, is the energy trilemma: how to ensure a secure, affordable, and sustainable energy system over the short- to long-term?" Nigeria, Mozambique and the Republic of Congo launched floating terminals (FLNG) over the past three months to tap into the rising demand as European countries race to secure natural gas from Africa. While Congo deployed two FLNG vessels with a combined production capacity of 3 million tons per year, Nigeria and Mozambique vessels have a capacity of 1.2 million and 3.4 million tons per year, respectively. bird story agency

STORY NAME: HOW A STARTUP IN LAKE VICTORIA IS FACILITATING FISHERS TO SWITCH TO E-MOBILITY TO CURB WATER POLLUTION LOCATION: KISUMU, KENYA DATE SHOT: 08/10/22 SOUND: NATURAL SOUND WITH ENGLISH AND LUO SPEECH DURATION: 3:31 SOURCE: BIRD STORY AGENCY RESTRICTIONS: NONE ASPECT RATIO: 16.9 ORIGINAL FRAME RATE: 24 fps (progressive). INTRO: Asobo Kenya Limited, a startup in Lake Victoria is facilitating fishers to switch from using diesel-powered boats to installing electric engines as a way to curb pollution in the lake SHOWS: LAKE VICTORIA, WESTERN KENYA (RECENT) (ACCESS ALL) 1. FISHERS CASTING FISHING NETS TO FISH 2. LIGHTING A BULB TO ATTRACT FISH 3. SOUNDBITE (LUO): STEVEN OTIEONA ACHILLA, LOCAL FISHER, SAYING: “It's a long time since I felt the heavy chest pains from manually starting a fuel-powered boat and now I don't have to breathe dirty air.” 4. FISHERS DRAWING FISHING NETS FROM THE LAKE 5. VARIOUS OF LAKE VICTORIA 6. VARIOUS OF BOATS SAILING ON LAKE VICTORIA 7. CHARGING STATION AT ASOBO FACILITY 8. ASOBO FACILITY 9. GABRIEL MAYIO AT ASOBO FACILITY 10. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH): GABRIEL MAYIO, OPERATIONS & TECHNICAL DIRECTOR AT ASOBO, SAYING: “With this continuous pollution of this lake, there is direct effect on the livelihood of this people who depend on this lake. So, Asobo has just come in to sort out that issue. To come and curb the increasing pollution that’s happening in Lake Victoria, not only from the perspective of the environment but also directly for the fishermen themselves.” 11. STAFF AT ASOBO FACILITY 13. FISHERS LOADING THEIR OUTBOARD BATTERIES 14. VARIOUS OF LAKE VICTORIA 15. FISHER INSPECTING FISHING NETS 16. BOATS ON THE SHORES OF LAKE VICTORIA 17. SOUNDBITE (LUO): STEVEN OTIEONA ACHILLA, LOCAL FISHER, SAYING: “I first heard about Asobo from other fishermen. I took an initiative to witness with my own eyes and even try it. I later joined in training on how to use it, I passed the test and now i am able to use it. it is making fishing smooth (efficient and easier) for me,” 18. VARIOUS OF BOATS AND FISHERS ON LAKE VICTORIA 19. FISHERS SAILING BACK FROM FISHING 20. SMALL FISH BEING OFFLOADED FROM THE BOAT 21. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH): GABRIEL MAYIO, OPERATIONS & TECHNICAL DIRECTOR AT ASOBO, SAYING: “We have seen a positive trend in uptake of motors, one positive thing though that we have seen, is that none of the customers who have ever come in and use electric motors created any doubt or gone back to using an electric engine.” 22. ELECTRIC OUTBOARD ENGINE ON A BOAT AT THE SHORE 23. BEAUTY SHOT OF FISHERS' BOATS ON LAKE VICTORIA STORY The e-mobility investment provides engines and batteries to the fishers after training and testing them. It then monitors usage and maintenance by providing daily recharging of the batteries and warehousing services. According to Gabriel Mayio, the operations and technical director at Asobo, pollution caused by oil leaks poses direct health hazards to people who depend on the lake. “Asobo has come in to sort out this problem by curbing the increasing pollution that’s happening in Lake Victoria, not only from the perspective of the environment but also directly for the fishermen themselves,” he explained. The lake, Africa’s largest, serves about 50 million people living by its shores, spread across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, directly and indirectly, depending on the lake for fishing activities. The lake’s biodiversity has been threatened over time by pollution posing a threat to fishing, a prominent economic activity for the fishers and their families. Beyond the lake’s well-being, fishers acknowledge Asobo for improving their standards of fishing. “I can now go for a long time before feeling heavy chest pains due to a hard start in fuel-powered boats and I breathe less of the dirty air,” explains Steven Otieno Achilla, a local fisherman. The new initiative is receiving a positive reception with fishers embracing the initiative and shifting from their fuel-powered boats. According to Mayio, the operations and technical director, “none of the customers who have ever come in and used electric motors created any doubt or gone back to using an electric engine.” Asobo has 50 fishers using their services, a number it seeks to double by the end of the year through to the end of the first quarter of 2023. Long-term, it targets to incorporate 5000 fishers into the program in the next five years.

Nairobi, September 5, 2023 Growing awareness of climate change in Africa is spurring household demand for eco-friendly packaging and mobility options on the continent, according to the Africa Climate Awareness Report 2023, a project of this agency. It shows the continent is undergoing a shift in its attitudes to consumer staples like plastic and fossil fuels, as more people become aware of the environmental and health impacts of these products. Based on surveys from almost 7,000 respondents across eight English-speaking African countries, the Stickybeak report, commissioned by Africa No Filter and written by a team at bird Story Agency, shows fossil-powered vehicles and plastic bags and bottles are losing their appeal. The study was conducted over a period from August 2022 to April 2023 and involved two surveys. Respondents to the study showed a strong inclination towards green solutions such as solar-PV and electric vehicles, which are slowly entering the market, especially in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt and some Maghreb states. Several African governments have already introduced tax cuts and other incentives to boost the e-mobility industry and drive the demand for EVs. “Recognition of the benefits of renewable energy and sustainable practices not only increased between August 2022 and April 2023 but was generally high,” notes the report. “Positive perceptions of solar power (64% in August 2022 and 67% in April 2023) and electric cars (53% and 54%) suggests a growing awareness of these options and their potential impact.” Conversely, the positive attitudes to diesel and petrol vehicles, already low, showed a decline (to 22% and 19%, respectively). Attitudes to plastic bags and bottles (with positive attitudes down from 21% to 18%) were also low, indicating a growing understanding of the negative environmental impacts of those items. The Africa Climate Awareness Report 2023 further revealed that climate denial amongst African respondents was low. “With less than 20% of the population surveyed believing that climate change is not a natural occurrence or that human activities play no role in it, climate change scepticism is notably low” it notes. Most of those surveyed attributed the negative impacts of climate change to human actions and inactions. “The most commonly reported cause was the poor treatment of the environment by people, which stood at 75% and 76% in the two surveys,” the report states. The second most common cause was the lack of government intervention to stop the problems that are causing these issues, which climbed slightly from 57% to 60%," the report further notes. For bird.africanofilter.org subscribers, here is a list of our climate-related "evergreen" features you may find useful. Bottle tops are the paint in this artist's eco-murals Olufunke Ojukwu's art encourages people to rethink their relationship with waste and have conversations about sustainability https://www.bird.africanofilter.org/stories/bottle-tops-are-the-paint-in-this-artist-s-eco-murals Old is gold: Here's why farmers are rediscovering their love for native trees Joan Wandegi Nthiga is one of many Kenyan farmers turning to regenerative farming to counteract the harmful effects of climate change, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss in her area She has planted over 100 endangered native tree seedlings among her food crops and is now looking to do more to return the region to the wetter, more stable climate she experienced as a child. https://www.bird.africanofilter.org/stories/old-is-gold-here-s-why-farmers-are-rediscovering-their-love-for-native-trees Farmers are saying goodbye to blackouts and power bills In Kenya, small and medium-sized farmers - and even upmarket households - are adopting biodigesters to turn their animal waste into biogas, which they use for cooking fuel and lighting. https://www.bird.africanofilter.org/stories/farmers-are-saying-goodbye-to-blackouts-and-power-bills A subsistence woman farmer finds a way to get her rain back Faustina Amponsah sought help combating the effects of climate change in her farming community. So she linked up with a local environmental group to grow and distribute tree seedlings in her community. She's confident the reforestation will bring back the regular rains. https://www.bird.africanofilter.org/stories/a-subsistence-woman-farmer-finds-a-way-to-get-her-rain-back Sweet treats for climate-smart farmers in East Africa Lower rainfall in parts of East Africa over the past few years has hit smallholder farmers hard. But innovative service companies, farmers and the government have all busied themselves to find solutions to the challenge. https://www.bird.africanofilter.org/stories/sweet-treats-for-climate-smart-farmers-in-east-africa Picture feature: Africa's leading geothermal energy producer Africa's geothermal potential is huge, particularly in the Rift Valley, which extends from the Horn of Africa to Malawi. In East Africa alone, the potential capacity is over 20 GW. Kenya is the leading producer of geothermal energy in Africa and aims to produce over 50% of its power from geothermal energy by 2030. https://www.bird.africanofilter.org/stories/picture-feature-afrca-s-leading-geothermal-energy-producer A community wildlife project has helped Kenya double its elephant population. Its secrets to success? Elephant dung paper A Mombasa wildlife conservatory is turning elephant dung collected from roads into big business - in the process keeping community wildlife reserve landowners happy, building tree cover and becoming part of a growing Kenyan success story in elephant population recovery. https://www.bird.africanofilter.org/stories/a-community-wildlife-project-has-helped-kenya-double-its-elephant-population-its-secrets-to-success-elephant-dung-paper You can find more climate stories through our drop-down categories tab on bird.africanofilter.org. If you are an African digital media publisher and would like to publish bird content, please contact bird@africainsight.co.ke.

DNA, a Thiés-based design and construction company started by three college students, is changing how people think about environmentally-friendly - and traditionally African - construction techniques. by Maria Knodt Growing up in Senegal's third-largest city, Thiés, situated some 70km east of Dakar, friends Mariama Djambony Badji and Papa Mafall Diop dreamed of becoming architects and of building houses. "From an early age, we were both fascinated by buildings and how they are constructed – and we dreamed of starting a company together," Badjj recounted recently. Senegal's post-colonial period has a strong architectural history. The country's first president, Léopold Sédar Senghor, was a proponent of an angular architecture he called "asymmetrical parallelism” - examples of which are still evident at the site of the country's 1974 International Fair in Dakar. Since 1966, Thiés has also been home to the Manufactures Sénégalaises des Arts Décoratifs, a tapestry factory where African design is a key element of the work. However, after neither of the friends took architecture for their studies, their dream seemed to go adrift. "I initially wanted to study architecture, but then I studied civil engineering, like Mafall," Badjj explained.. During her second year of university, Badjj and Christelle Auxencia Lebrun, a friend from her civil engineering course, began supporting Badjj's mother, who was setting up an IT learning centre. They offered to help to help with the accomodation. "Once we arrived, we realized there were not enough rooms for all the students. So we thought about what we could do, and Christelle proposed that we could devise a plan to construct more rooms ourselves," Mariama remembers. Luckily, Badjj was able to call on her childhood friend, Diop, for help. "Despite going to different universities, we always stayed in touch," Badjj explained. Diop said he would help. So, despite all three still being students, Badjj, Christelle, and Diop decided to start their own company, Design Engineering Architecture (DNA), in 2019. Initially, it was difficult for the three to manage studying and working in parallel, and it took until 2020 for the enterprise to take off. "When COVID started, we didn't have to go to university anymore physically, so we had more flexibility. We started building our offices in Thiés, and while supervising the workers on the site, we had our headphones in to take our online classes," Mariama said, with a laugh.. "We wanted to do things differently, though – create a more sustainable concept," she explained of their approach, which involves a technique using raw earth bricks and solar, rather than concrete and regular power. It is an approach that has now become synonymous with their company. "Many people are skeptical; they believe using raw earth is not durable and (is) antiquated. It reminds them of huts in small villages," Badjj said, posing for photos at the site of one of the company's current projects. Also known as rammed earth construction, raw earth construction has been used for millennia and can be seen in some of the most iconic and ancient buildings in the world - including the Great Mosque of Djenné in Mali and parts of the Great Wall of China. While it can require more maintenance than other materials, rammed earth is an environmentally-friendly approach to building that is gaining popularity around the world. "Raw earth bricks keep a building cool naturally with their insulating properties, so there is much less need for air conditioning in Senegal's hot climate," Badjj explained. In addition to decreasing a building's environmental footprint, raw earth bricks are also healthier for a building's inhabitants as they are produced without the chemical compounds used in other construction materials. Globally, concrete production accounts for up to 8% of carbon dioxide emissions, according to think tank Chatham House. Raw earth offers a carbon-neutral alternative. Nevertheless, it wasn't easy for the three young engineers, two of whom were women, to enter the traditionally-minded and male-dominated construction sector with a very non-traditional approach. "We had to make an extra effort compared to other companies," Badjj admitted, adding that she still regularly asks co-founder Diop or another male colleague do attend on-site visits to supervise construction crews. To date, DNA has been contracted to build ten buildings. Most are homes for private individuals, while some are buildings constructed for NGOs. “As an NGO that works with women farmers, we wanted to create a building for fruit and vegetable processing that is natural and environmentally friendly. And we don’t need air conditioning” remarked a client. Badjj and her team are very active on social media, where they try to demystify the usage of raw earth bricks. One video posted by the team shows DNA employees grinding red earth into fine particles, mixing it with water and compressing it into brick form with a machine. DNA employs ten people full-time and another 35 temporarily on the construction sites. They try to include local residents who they train to build with raw earth. The trained construction workers then join a database of qualified raw earth workers who are available for new projects in the area, and who can maintain buildings as well as further educate their communities about raw earth construction. The company has also begun receiving increasing numbers of training requests online. Badjj is convinced that raw earth construction has the potential to add a significant number of green jobs in Senegal. She is also hopeful the technique will take off across West Africa. Their early success has prompted the company to start looking at other environmentally-friendly building techniques, too. “We are not stuck on raw earth. We are also researching with other materials to find more sustainable and locally sourced alternatives to concrete,” she explained. And while there are other companies in Senegal that are constructing raw earth buildings, such as Elementerre and Worofila, DNA’s unique selling proposition is that it offers services along the entire value chain, from design and the production of bricks, to construction, interior design and even, energy audits. While increasing numbers of companies in the region are offering bioclimatic and ecological architecture, it remains a niche sector and will require support to become widely acceptable across the society. bird story agency Useful links: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2022/jan/13/tented-love-senegal-spectacular-new-african-architecture-dakar-tent https://www.sensesatlas.com/territory/the-international-fair-of-dakar/ https://instagram.com/_________dna?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://linktr.ee/dnasarl?fbclid=PAAaYFGfigPe4kJP6hS8qhZE5u16XmnHrQyT9wocLrLg338TAMyQwSj_5x4GU