- Kenyan siblings Michelle and Jeremy Muchilwa (19 and 16, respectively) are examples of a growing global youth movement to fight environmental threats and climate change in their communities.
- When schools closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the brother and sister sought opportunities to educate themselves about technology and planetary ecosystems; the duo eventually founded Osiepe Sango (Friends of Lake Victoria) to address plastic pollution, and their endeavors today include multiple youth programs, an app that tracks plastic pollution and an underwater drone that collects plastic waste in Lake Victoria.
- As teenagers, the two have won multiple awards for their work, including the National Geographic Young Explorer Award, Diana Award and recognition from the Planeteer Alliance.
- Michelle and Jeremy Muchilwa talked with Mongabay in June about their inspirations, their work and hopes for the future.
In recent years, there has been a significant trend in young people from around the world joining the fight against environmental threats and climate change. These educated youths have played a crucial role in raising awareness among their peers, inspiring even more young people to participate in campaigns for a sustainable future.
A good example is that of Kenyan siblings Michelle and Jeremy Muchilwa (19 and 16, respectively), who founded Osiepe Sango (Friends of Lake Victoria). Their organization aims to combat plastic pollution in Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake, which spans three East African countries : Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
When schools closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya, Michelle, who was just 15 at the time, and Jeremy, even younger at 12, saw an opportunity. Seeking permission from their guardians, they chose to pursue their own interests instead of joining planned online classes.
Jeremy delved into his passion for technology by learning coding and programming, while Michelle explored planetary ecosystems through the TED-Ed art school. This program introduced her to biodiversity, ecosystems and global environmental issues. One module on water emphasized the importance of oceans and inland water systems and highlighted the pollution caused by plastic. Inspired, Michelle learned about the Ocean Heroes Boot Camp on plastic pollution and, despite initial hesitation, decided to apply. She also encouraged Jeremy to join.
Their participation in the online camp sparked the idea for their first campaign: restoring Lake Victoria to its pristine state. Since then, the duo has achieved significant recognition, including the National Geographic Young Explorer Award for Michelle and the Diana Award for both of them. They have also been featured in various local and international media outlets, including an April 2021 TIME for Kids article titled “Kid Heroes of the Planet,” for their efforts in eradicating plastic waste from Lake Victoria.
To date, Jeremy and Michelle have collected more than 10 tons of plastic waste, tracked through a mobile app they developed, called Ziwa Safi, which compiles data on the trash collected. The goal of the Ziwa Safi app is to collect data, using citizen science, to shine a light on the true scope and impact of plastic pollution in Lake Victoria.This will allow policymakers, organizations like Osiepe Sango and community members to design and implement effective solutions to the problem.
Their mission continues as they aim to remove more waste from the environment, playing their part in combating the millions of metric tons of plastic released into water bodies annually. According to a press brief by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), more than 460 million metric tons of plastic are produced each year, with an estimated 20 million metric tons ending up as litter. Much of this pollution comes from single-use products such as bottles, caps, cigarettes, shopping bags, cups and straws.
The duo sat down with Mongabay in June to speak about their work and how they settled on starting up their own organization. The following account has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Mongabay: Who is Michelle Muchilwa?
Michelle Muchilwa: I am a 19-year-old from Kisumu, Kenya, and a co-founder of the Osiepe Sango rescue team. I am also a 2021 National Geographic Young Explorer, Diana Award winner, Planeteer and recent graduate of the African Leadership Academy. I draw inspiration from the late Wangari Maathai for her remarkable achievements and resilience in the face of harassment and unwarranted arrests. Her efforts have preserved green spaces in Kenya, such as Karura Forest. Moreover, I admire climate justice activist Vanessa Nakate from Uganda and Greta Thunberg, who started the global Fridays for Future movement, and have shown impressive consistency in their activism.
Mongabay: Who is Jeremy Muchilwa?
Jeremy Muchilwa: I am a 16-year-old from Kisumu, Kenya, and a co-founder of the Osiepe Sango organization. I received the Diana Award in 2022, I’m an active Planeteer and a student at White Oaks School. My passion for environmental conservation is deeply inspired by Dr. Jane Goodall’s innovative approach to studying wild chimpanzees and their social interactions. I also admire the late Wangari Maathai, who persevered in her conservation efforts despite significant adversity, demonstrating unwavering commitment to her goals.
Mongabay: Osiepe Sango is a unique name for an organization. Could you explain the idea and logic behind it and why the particular focus on Lake Victoria?
Jeremy Muchilwa: In the Dholuo language [spoken by the riverlake Nilotes in Kenya], “Osiepe” means friends, while “Sango” is one of the Indigenous names for the lake. Our ancestors and parents used these terms in their own language, creating a strong sense of identity and connection between the lake and the local people. The current name, Lake Victoria, holds no cultural significance for the locals, as it was named after Queen Victoria by John Speke upon its “discovery.” By using the Indigenous term “Sango,” we aim to rekindle the connection and sense of ownership the local community feels toward the lake, rather than seeing it as a government entity.
Michelle Muchilwa: We chose Lake Victoria because we have a deep attachment to it. We grew up around the lake and have lived here our entire lives. It is a significant part of my childhood and offers a sense of home. When I was younger, the lake wasn’t covered in plastic, and the water was clean. Seeing it degrade over the years has been deeply saddening.
The degradation of Lake Victoria impacts not just the environment but also the community. Fish populations have declined, and beaches are now covered in plastic. Lake Victoria is crucial to the ecosystem, being the major source of the Nile River and supporting millions of livelihoods across three countries. Furthermore, the loss of biodiversity, such as birds, hippos, otters, some fish species and crabs, is alarming.
Mongabay: Can you talk about the projects you are involved in through Osiepe Sango?
Michelle Muchilwa: Our projects adopt a multifaceted approach to tackling plastic pollution, evolving as we identify new needs. Our first program, the “Bring Back Lake Victoria” initiative, began from our initial plan to build a recycling center, aimed at addressing ineffective waste management. However, data collection on cleanups with the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute [KMFRI] revealed a significant gap in community awareness about plastic pollution’s dangers and the harmful effects of burning plastic.
Realizing that education was crucial, Jeremy and I shifted our focus to raising awareness before establishing a recycling center. “Bring Back Lake Victoria” was launched to make plastic pollution a prominent issue in Kisumu, informing the community about its environmental and health impacts. Our campaign successfully highlighted the problem, with national news coverage and increased community engagement, driving collective action for better waste management.
Jeremy Muchilwa: Our second program revolves around an app we developed called Ziwa Safi, meaning “clean lake.” The idea for the app emerged from discussions with Dr. Chrispine Nyamweya, a senior research scientist at KMFRI, who provided technical expertise for the app’s framework. LakeHub offered workspace and mentorship through [executive director] Dorcas Owinoh. But actual development, however, has been our own effort. This app aids in data collection during cleanups by tracking factors like trash type and manufacturer, which enhances our credibility when approaching product manufacturers about their waste. Previously, we used a paper based system which was unsustainable and impractical due to the fact that we work in flood-prone beach areas.
The Ziwa Safi app leverages citizen science to map out pollution and provides an easy interface for recording data. It helps track our impact and recommends the nearest recycling centers that can accept the collected trash. Additionally, it identifies trademarks on degraded plastic bottles, speeding up segregation of trash.
Michelle Muchilwa: The third program is called the Nam Lolwe Youth Summit [NALYS]. During our Bring Back Lake Victoria campaign, we attended workshops where other young people frequently asked how we became knowledgeable and articulate about plastic pollution and how they could join and get involved. Inspired by the Ocean Heroes Virtual Boot Camp, which was ending, we decided to create a similar training program in Kenya to empower youth. This led to the development of the NALYS model by myself, Jeremy and five other youths from Asia and North America.
The primary goal of NALYS is to create a space specifically for young people to learn, experiment with ideas and ask questions. Many summits exclude young voices, but NALYS is centered on empowering youth and harnessing their potential to address environmental challenges.
NALYS also employs a place-based model, focusing on the local ecosystem needing the most help. For instance, in Kisumu, we focus on Lake Victoria, while in Mombasa, the focus shifts to the Indian Ocean. This adaptability ensures that the summit addresses relevant local issues wherever it is held.
Partnering with the Planeteer Alliance has allowed NALYS to expand globally, reaching more than 17 countries. Each year, the Planeteer Alliance runs this summit series using the NALYS model, enabling young people to host summits that empower their peers worldwide. We are proud of how NALYS has grown, bringing countless youths into the environmental movement. This annual event will take place on Aug. 12 this year.
Our fourth project involves the development of a machine called the Waterborne Autonomous Litter and Trash Extraction Robot [WALTER], created by Jeremy and his team of young engineers. WALTER is an underwater drone, or remotely operated vehicle, designed to collect plastic waste from Lake Victoria. Currently, it collects plastic from the surface water, but the team is working to enable it to retrieve waste from underwater as well.
WALTER’s goal is to address the issue of legacy plastic in Lake Victoria, tackling the plastic waste already present in the lake that disrupts the ecosystem. Unlike our other Osiepe Sango programs, which focus on preventing the flow of plastic pollution and are land-based, WALTER is dedicated to removing existing plastic from the lake. Moreover, WALTER is solar-powered, using renewable energy to operate without further polluting the lake and environment.
Mongabay: What do you believe is the real impact of youth-led organizations and how can their success be measured?
Michelle Muchilwa: Youth-led organizations drive innovative solutions and challenge traditional methods. At Osiepe Sango, for example, we measure success by achieving our goals and seeing tangible improvements. For instance, Bring Back Lake Victoria raised awareness about plastic pollution in the lake, and Ziwa Safi developed an AI camera to identify local plastic brands. NALYS expanded globally, surpassing its goal to empower young people in Kisumu. In addition, Osiepe Sango has removed over 10 tons of trash from the lake and educated over 1,000 young individuals.
Jeremy Muchilwa: Albeit when we started, we lacked the NGO experience, so we created our own efficient methods. Young people bring fresh perspectives and challenge the status quo, leading to effective solutions. Despite existing for over 50 years, some organizations mandated with protecting the water body haven’t improved Lake Victoria’s condition. Our youth-led approach has made a meaningful impact.
Mongabay: What roles have your family and friends played in the work that you do as Osiepe Sango?
Michelle Muchilwa: Our family and friends have played an important role in our journey with Osiepe Sango. As a startup without a stable income stream, their support has been crucial. Our parents have provided financial backing for our projects, covered transportation costs and offered encouragement every step of the way. Unlike many organizations, we haven’t relied on major donors. Instead, over the past four years, Osiepe Sango has operated on small grant programs and the unwavering support of our loved ones.
Jeremy Muchilwa: Our friends have also been instrumental volunteers in our cleanup efforts, which is particularly crucial given that our organization currently operates with fewer than 15 staff members. Their participation has significantly enhanced our ability to carry out effective environmental initiatives and has strengthened our community-driven approach to tackling challenges. Their belief in our mission has been a cornerstone of our progress and success.
Mongabay: What challenges have you encountered in carrying out your work?
Jeremy Muchilwa: Balancing school commitments with our organization’s work has been challenging. I’ve missed key events and summits due to prioritizing education. In terms of Ziwa Safi app development, catering to diverse user preferences has been a significant hurdle. Feedback has varied widely, leading to three redesigns of the app to better meet user expectations so far.
Michelle Muchilwa: Registering our organization posed another challenge as we were both under 18 at inception, making it impossible for us to be officially recognized in documentation by the government.
Securing support without donors, especially for costly projects like WALTER, remains a significant ongoing challenge, exacerbated by age-related credibility issues in professional contexts.
Mongabay: What are you most hopeful about the future, and what are you most fearful about?
Jeremy Muchilwa: Looking to the future, I am hopeful and optimistic because there’s still time to save vital ecosystems like Lake Victoria. Kenya’s proactive adoption of renewable energy projects is a positive step, but there’s much more work ahead. However, I’m deeply concerned about the rapid pace of climate change, exacerbated by new fossil fuel projects that harm the environment and biodiversity.
Michelle Muchilwa: The future of our planet and what future generations will inherit weighs heavily on my mind. Jeremy and I are committed to fighting pollution to help change this course and ensure a sustainable Earth for generations to come.
Banner image: Jeremy (first from left) and Michelle Muchilwa (standing at the center) with their colleagues at a community sensitization campaign on plastic pollution in 2023. Image courtesy of Osiepe Sango.
Credits
