More than 120 children and youth from communities around Mount Mbam have sparked renewed climate consciousness among local leaders and policymakers. This took place during a one-day workshop recently held in Bangourai, where the young participants showcased the environmental challenges affecting their communities.
Through open letters, articles, drawings, rhymes, and poetry dramatizations, the EcoKids highlighted threats such as drying water sources, deforestation, bush burning, pollution, and excessive use of chemical fertilizers. Their messages reached key decision-makers, including the Divisional Officer (DO) and Mayor of Bangourain, traditional rulers of Bangourin and Bangourain Centre, the Chief of the Forestry and Wildlife Post, and several community leaders, who listened, engaged, and exchanged ideas with the children.
The Mayor of Bangourain, Muben Adamou, remarked, “I am impressed and challenged by the message from the youths and school children about climate change. We hope you will continue to support our community so that we can move forward and ensure that the notion of environmental protection is implemented by the population of Bangourin subdivision.”
Similarly, the DO of Bangourin Subdivision noted, “The message from the children is clear and understood. The students should also take this advocacy to their schools and respective families so that Bangourai can thrive and overcome these environmental challenges.”
The workshop was organized by Voice of Nature (VoNat) and Meg Wah as part of the Annual EcoKids Programme, with support from the Earth Rising Foundation. The program aims to nurture a new generation of climate ambassadors committed to driving pro-climate actions and policies across Cameroon.
By Njumbe Franklin Teke