Climate Change

Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. Over time climate change has been attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability. It is one of the most important global environmental issues of our generation because its effect can be hazardous.

Climate change is expected to hit developing countries the hardest. Its effects; higher temperature, changes in precipitation patterns, rising sea levels, and more frequent weather-related disasters, pose risks for agriculture, food, and water supplies. At stake are recent gains in the fight against poverty, hunger and disease, and the lives and livelihoods of billions of people in developing countries.

Findings such as the 2005 Millennium Ecosystem Assessment showed that over the past 50 years, humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable period of time in human history’, and that this has resulted in ‘a substantial and largely irreversible loss in the diversity of life on Earth.

Addressing climate change requires unprecedented global cooperation across borders. The continued degradation of the global environment has not been caused solely by governance weaknesses, but rather by a multitude of drivers, including prevailing economic models and patterns of consumption and production.

Rio+20 a conference organized by the United Nation on June 22^nd 2012 to discuss on climate change  gave us a solid platform to build on. The agreements, actions, commitments, challenges, initiatives and announcements made at the conference should be put into practice. It addressed global issues on sustainable development, access to clean energy, food security, water and sustainable transportation.  

Sustainable development which is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs is an overarching paradigm comprised of three interconnected pillars; economic, social and environmental. Ultimately it should be the primary objective of all global institutions such as The UN General Assembly which is the key operational body of the United Nations, the Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN) and the Economic and Financial Committee (ECOFIN).

Governments should enable young people’s participation in and influence on decision-making processes at the local, national and international levels because climate they will be the biggest victims of climate change in future. In addition, consultation processes and dialogue should be encouraged to incorporate voices from non-conventional networks and youth communities, such as Internet forums and opinion-making blogs.

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VUVUZELA THE PEACE AMBASSADOR

During the 2010 world cup in South Africa, The term Vuvuzela was introduced to millions of people around the world. Vuvuzela is a funnel like; sound deafening instrument when blown that was made famous by World Cup. It never occurred to me that Vuvuzela could be a person’s name until I met Mr. Vuvuzela Ashindu, a young energetic youth at the International Youth Conference organized by Church World Service at State House Girls. His love and passion for peace has left many wondering. I set out on a mission to get to know him better and hear his story. Below is an extract of a conversation I had with him.

Apart from Vuvuzela, can you tell us your other name and where you are from?

-          I am Vuvuzela Ashindu, born in 1985 at Busia County, Busia District in Bulanda village. My home is a walking distance to Uganda.

Why Vuvuzela?

-        What most people are not aware of is that the name Vuvuzela has there ever since. The 2010 Worldcup at South Africa is what made it popular. Vuvuzela symbolizes a warrior or a courageous leader in our community.

So, tell me about your story, how life was when growing up?

-          My life story is interesting. Born in a polygamous family of 18 children, life was a rollercoaster for me. I am the fifth born in my mother’s side. By the time I was being born my father had already retired from firestone where he used to work then.

In a family of more than twenty, how did he manage then to cater for all of you?

-          He had to do odd jobs around Busia town in order to put food in the table. One meal a day is what I grew up knowing. My elder brothers had to drop out of school and assist my father.

Tell me about your educational background.

-          I went to Seresta Primary School which is in Uganda a walking distance from my village. It was much cheaper than schooling here in Kenya and more so the syllabus was similar. My father struggled to pay for my fees but after joining my Secondary level, I had to drop out for two years. I did odd jobs at that time and only went back to do my final exams.

You mentioned that you also an actor. How did that came into be?

-          After clearing my forth form in 2007, I acted  a lot at my local church. Amateur group based in Busia is a youth group specializing in acting. They spotted my talent and took me in. We used to go around schools, weddings, churches and other occasions acting. Whatever we got we shared amongst us.

How helpful was that to you, were you able to sustain yourself and cheap in to help your family.

-          Yes, there was a project introduced called Population Service International (P.S.I). The aim was to promote abstinence of sex through acting. It boosted me and the team so much. Especially that was the same period my brother, who had been our bread winner had passed on. I later joined college in Busia to do a course in Human Resource Management under Nairobi University in which I parted with 15,000 sh. After clearing I did a Diploma in the same course and am yet to graduate soon.

You have been described by your collegues as a very energetic person. Why so much energy?

-          I have been through a lot in my life and I get psyched up most of the time to keep my mind of the sad moments in my past

You have been termed a Peace Ambassador,

-          I love and passionately advocate for peace. Ever since joining facebook, all my updates have been about peace. Five years ago I started sending people messages with the word peace. I purchased some Kenyan Shirts with Vuvuzela signed on them. I give them for free to any person who advocates for peace. Andrew Hozekom in America, Lindu Mbathason in South Africa and Litha Lulu from Malawi are some of the winners of the Vuvuzela Shirts. This is something I do because I love it, not for money but for the satisfaction of seeing people in peace.

And the Subject To Citizen (S2C) you recently launched. What is it about?

-          Subject to Citizen (S2C) is an afternoon session Amateur Group normally holds on the weekends. The target audience is idle youths who instead of investing their energy in important things they end up doing bad things. We identify opportunities and share with them. It is also a platform where local artists around Busia town showcase their talent.

What is motivates you to work this hard to make a difference in other people lives?

-          I have always dreamt of a peaceful world where people regard each other with respect and love. God created each one of us equally.  I argue my fellow youths to also be peace ambassadors wherever they come from. I appreciate Church World Service for organizing an event where youths from East Africa are able to interact and share ideas on how make it in life.

Me Self

This is all about me

Not born into wealth, didn't have that much money to buy anything. Now a bonafide hustler in a ladder of achieving things and a vision of being a self made billionairer before my death bed. I speak my mind weather you like it or not. I cant get stressed because i didn't tell you what i heard in mind. I believe as a man you should be head of the house, ladies love me for this others thing am a chauvinist but I respect ladies and those who crossed my path are treated like queens. 

I believe in God but He got a lot of pending questions to aswer to me. Even when things prove downhill, my Grandmother Sarah is my Inspiration. She is gone but I speak to her everyday. Sometimes I hate being myself but looking at the positive side, i would't exchange what I have for anything in this world, maybe to someone who will make Juliana love me :-). 

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