By Kelfala Kargbo

Freetown, 20th October 2025- As a way of empowering the next generation of environmental stewards, the Media Initiative for Climate Change and the Environment (MICCE) brought its School Climate and Environment Campaign to the Annie Walsh Memorial School in Freetown, sparking dialogue, awareness, and action among pupils.

The campaign, which targets twenty schools between East End Police and Ferry Junction, aims to educate young people on the causes, consequences, and solutions to climate change and environmental degradation. For MICCE, early education isn’t just a strategy, it’s a necessity.

“It’s better we educate the pupils now, because they will take up tomorrow,” said Martha Kargbo, Lead Fellow and Director of MICCE. “We want them to make informed decisions that help mitigate climate and environmental issues.”

During the session, pupils learned about Sierra Leone’s most pressing environmental challenges, from plastic pollution choking Freetown’s drainage systems to rising temperatures that threaten public health and food security. The message was clear: climate change is not a distant threat, it’s a daily reality.

Martha encouraged the students to become climate ambassadors in their homes, schools, and communities, emphasizing that awareness is the first step toward meaningful change.

“We believe they’ve gained valuable knowledge,” she said. “Now they must carry it forward.”

Teachers welcomed the initiative with enthusiasm. Kapri Kamara, a staff member at Annie Walsh, called the visit “laudable” and timely.

“The environmental crisis affects everyone,” Kamara said. “Educating children is key to reversing the damage. I’m proud to see this partnership taking shape.”

Pupils were equally inspired. Asmaa Nyanga-James, one of the participants, shared her excitement.

“We now understand how to preserve our environment so the earth can live longer,” she said. “I’ll encourage my friends to clean their surroundings and spread awareness.”

The campaign is supported by the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority, whose sponsorship has helped MICCE reach more schools and amplify its message of environmental responsibility.

As the climate clock ticks, MICCE’s school-based outreach is planting seeds of change, one classroom at a time.