How Ruben Junior School is Engineering a Greener Tomorrow
Climate Education Club students and teachers.
In the heart of Mukuru, where the skyline is often framed by industrial smoke and the ground challenged by factory waste, a quiet revolution is taking root. The Climate Education Club at Ruben Junior School is no longer just a student organization but a laboratory for environmental justice. While many see the inappropriate disposal of waste from surrounding factories as an insurmountable obstacle, our students see a call to action.
The club is organized into specialized sub-groups, allowing every student to find their unique "Eco" voice. Whether through advocacy or artistry, our members are dedicated to environmental wellness:
Eco-Warriors: The frontline defenders of our school’s ecosystem, focused on sensitization and policy.
Eco-Art: A creative collective that transforms environmental trash into educational treasure.
The students borrow a leaf from the legacy of Professor Wangari Maathai. We teach our students that the Little Hummingbird isn't just a story rather a strategy. "We don’t just teach science; we teach survival and stewardship. Seeing our students take the lessons of Wangari Maathai and apply them to the streets of Mukuru is the greatest victory a teacher could ask for. Winning the art competition proved that our circumstances don't limit our solutions." reported Hanningtone, a teacher and environmental hero from Ruben Centre. "Waste is only waste if you lack the imagination to see it as a resource. Through Eco-Art, we are teaching these children to take the 'inappropriate disposal' from our neighborhood and turn it into a visual protest—and a promise of a cleaner future," said Chris, our resident artist.
The ultimate expression of our club’s mission is a meticulously crafted 3D model of a green city. Developed through the collaborative effort of staff and students, this model serves as a physical blueprint for the world the students want to live in. Built on the foundation of the RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) principle, the project showcases sustainable urban planning, green spaces, and efficient waste management. The project recently competed against schools from across Nairobi, where Ruben Junior School students emerged victorious, taking home the top prize for their vision of a sustainable future.
3D model of a green city.
Brian, an Eco-Warrior student asserted that, "People often look at Mukuru and see the smoke from the factories. Through this club, I want them to look at us and see the green trees we are planting. We are the generation that will stop the destruction because we live with the consequences every day." Akinyi, an eco artist student added that, "Building the 3D model was like dreaming with my hands. When we used recycled materials to create our version of an ideal world, I was showing the adults that we know exactly how to fix the mistakes of the past."
This 3D model is more than a trophy to the learners and their teachers- it is a tool for change. We are taking this project to Climate Expos across Kenya to serve as a sensitization tool for:
Encouraging factories to transition to better waste management.
Inspiring Kenyans from Mukuru and beyond on how to keep our country green.
Showing other students that they are the primary stakeholders in the climate conversation.
At Ruben Junior School, we are creating awareness, finding solutions, and building a legacy. Our doors are open to partners, environmentalists, and neighbors who believe in a cleaner, greener Mukuru.
By: Gregory Barake