Raising SDG Heroes: Inside My SDG Kid Initiative
Gideon Pirandoni
4/23/2025
Overview
In a world facing climate crises, rising inequalities, and environmental degradation, there’s one solution we don’t talk about enough: early empowerment. ACTNOW KENYA believes the journey to sustainability begins with children — and that’s the heart of My SDG Kid Initiative. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
My SDG Kid Initiative is a child-centered program that introduces Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to young learners in fun, creative, and practical ways. We’re turning big global issues into relatable local actions for school kids, so they grow up as climate champions, restoration ambassadors, and WASH advocates.
Theory of Change
Because children influence households, peers, and the future. When we empower kids to care for their environment and communities early, we build a pipeline of compassionate, confident, and creative problem-solvers. They don’t wait to grow up to change the world — what they learn today will shape how they govern and care for the planet tomorrow. And they teach adults a thing or two in the process. We achieve this through storytelling, art, gardening, nature walks, and role-playing, we strive to embed values of environmental stewardship, climate action and kids activism.
Focus SDGs (First Phase)
💧 SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Water is life — and the SDG Kids know it! Through the initiative, children learn about clean water access, water pollution, and safe sanitation through storytelling, games, and simple science experiments. We also train young “Water Champions” to advocate for handwashing, water-saving techniques, and protection of local water sources like rivers, dams and boreholes.
🏘️ SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Our young participants are guided to see their schools and neighborhoods as ecosystems — full of potential for sustainability. We involve them in clean-up drives, recycling activities, and eco-club sessions where they learn, exchange and lead debates on greener, cleaner communities.
♻️ SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
From saying “no” to plastic to composting leftovers, the SDG Kids learn how everyday choices impact the planet. We use fun simulations to show how consumption habits connect to waste, pollution, and climate change.
🌍 SDG 13: Climate Action
We believe climate action starts with climate literacy. Our SDG Kids lead in tree growing, discussion on weather changes, and proposing climate-friendly habits in school and home.
🌳 SDG 15: Life on Land
The initiative connects kids to the land — its value, beauty, and vulnerability. We teach children about soil conservation, biodiversity, and the importance of protecting forests and wildlife through nature walks, planting indigenous trees, and bird watching.
The Journey So Far
Since its launch in March 2025, We have:
Designed SDG training toolkit for kids
Trained 20+ SDG Kids as peer educators
Launched environmental clubs in 1 primary schools
Distributed colorful, illustrated SDG toolkits for kids
📣 A Blueprint for Replication
Our goal is to scale My SDG Kid Initiative across schools in Laikipia North Constituency and beyond, ensuring that environmental literacy becomes a core part of every child’s education. We invite parents, educators, donors, and volunteers to support this transformative initiative. You can:
Sponsor a school workshop or toolkit
Invite us for a SDG Kid workshop
Donate climate learning materials.
Nominate your school for our SDG Club program
Follow and share our stories online
“In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.”
— Baba Dioum, Senegalese forestry engineer and environmentalist
Related
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