By  Simeon Kalua, Project Officer at School For All Project

I became passionate about climate justice issues through a course I studied at university, focusing on public health and climate change. This passion for climate change has driven me to bring positive change to my community.

In 2022, I took a significant step in my journey by educating 500 students on climate change and planting 1,000 trees in 12 primary schools in the Mpamba Zone. This initiative was part of the Climate Change Young Leader Program by the Malawi Scotland Partnership, in collaboration with the 2050 Climate Group organization in Scotland. This experience marked the beginning of my dedication to environmental action. Soon after, I joined CorpsAfrica as a project facilitator, where I led efforts to plant trees and establish a permaculture school garden. This role further solidified my commitment to sustainable development.

In August 2023, I joined Point of Progress as a Solidarity Exchange for the Environment and Development (SEED) participant, a project in partnership with the Spire Organization in Norway. The success of this project included planting 1,000 trees at Mseche Secondary School, hosting a climate justice conference, writing a brochure titled “Climate Injustice: Perspectives from Farmers in Malawi,” and establishing Malawi’s Call, a substack series of climate change blogs. I also founded an initiative called Green Children, dedicated to empowering and educating children aged 5-18 in primary schools about environmental issues through interactive sessions and hands-on, child-led projects.

Through my work, I have had the opportunity to attend significant conferences, such as the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi and the Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai. I am also an ambassador for the FXB Climate Advocate Program and the African Climate Alliance.

My journey is a testament to the power of education and action in the fight for climate justice, and I remain committed to making a positive impact on the environment and future generations.

At Peace First, we are proud to support changemakers like Simeon, who are leading with courage, purpose, and a vision for a better future. Young people in Malawi, like Simeon, are at the frontlines of the climate crisis—facing challenges such as deforestation, droughts, and extreme weather. Their communities are directly impacted, which is why their voices and leadership are so critical to the climate justice movement.