In brief
Kenyan schoolgirl Ellyanne Wanjiku Chlystun is recognized globally for her dedication to combating climate change, taking after Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai, planting over 1.3 million trees worldwide, and collaborating with notable figures like King Charles and David Beckham.
Ellyanne Wanjiku Chlystun, a 14-year-old Kenyan student, is swiftly becoming an international symbol of youth-led environmental activism. Inspired by her country's Nobel laureate, Wangari Maathai, from the tender age of four, Ellyanne's commitment to tree-planting and environmental preservation has driven her to engage in global initiatives, meeting prominent figures including King Charles and David Beckham.Starting with a simple project in kindergarten, Ellyanne was fascinated by influential figures like Prof. Maathai, who advocated tree planting as a tool for environmental sustainability and women's empowerment. Despite initial familial discouragement due to Maathai's political struggles, Ellyanne's perseverance saw her establish the not-for-profit organization, Children With Nature, in 2017. This initiative fosters a community where children learn to contribute to ecological efforts, having collectively planted over 1.3 million trees, with 250,000 of those personally planted by Ellyanne by 2020.Her passion extends beyond planting trees, tackling broader climate issues. Ellyanne has linked climate change to health crises, such as malaria's increasing prevalence in Kenya due to shifting weather patterns, themes she discussed at the Dubai climate summit and in a video for the charity Malaria No More, directed by Meji Alabi and featuring David Beckham.Balancing her academic life with global advocacy, Ellyanne continues her commitment to environmentalism. She aspires to play a pivotal role in Africa's Green Belt initiative and envisions a world filled with a trillion more trees by her 18th birthday. Yet, Ellyanne is keen on pursuing economics rather than politics, unlike her hero Maathai, aiming to further her education first.Ellyanne's story resonates with a generation eager to effect change. Her message is clear: every effort counts, and youthful determination can indeed lay the groundwork for a sustainable future.
