It is in regards to this, at the Youyi Building, the Legallia Foundation, a registered community-based organization situated at 1c College Road, Congo Cross, Freetown launched the ‘My environment, My priority’ project to train 50 students from 5 Senior secondary schools in Freetown as Climate Action Ambassadors.
This one-day training was started with a project launch wherein the CEO of Legallia Foundation and a representative from the Environmental Protection Agency, National Youths Service and YARDO-SL made statements on behalf of their institutions and on the importance of climate action for a sustainable future.
Legallia Foundation is founded on the core principle that we are custodians of the earth. If we don’t protect our earth, who else will? Asked the young CEO, Mr Abdul Kassim Mahdi. He further lamented on the relevance of young people to live sustainably to save our planet.
The CEO’s words were reaffirmed by the statement from the Director of Planning of the Environmental Protection Agency who highlighted the functions of the EPA and the importance of environmental protection for development. Both the representative from the National Youth Service, Mr. Sylvester and his compatriot from the YARDO-SL, Mr Alpha Dumbuya stressed on the importance of young people to use their energy and skill to preserve and protect the planet for a better future free of disasters, land degradation and hunger.
Immediately after the launch of the project and inspirational statements from the distinguished guests, the training commenced. The training comprised of topics facilitated by eminent youths who have demonstrated selfless effort to the development of society.
When I heard the theme of the training, I couldn’t help but feel obliged to participate. Said Ibrahim Jalloh, a blind student from the Prince of Wales. He continued the theme which reads that protecting our earth must be everyone’s responsibility does not respect our right to inclusion but also inspired me. And I feel proud to be a Climate Action Ambassador of the Legallia Foundation because I have always had a feeling that People with Disabilities should be actively involved in whatever way they can contribute to environmental protection. This is because, we are the most vulnerable. Whenever there is an environmental hazard or disaster, we suffer the most. So as from today, I will use my voice to educate and inspire others to live sustainably.
Tinah Fornah from St. Joseph Convent Secondary School was quick to point out why she felt this training is different from all other environmental protection trainings she had been involved in. when you look at the course structure like introduction to climate change, sustainable living, sustainable development goals, leadership, advocacy, etc. you see unlike other trainings you are not only thought how to plant trees but how to live sustainably and how to act and speak for the earth. And the facilitators are very young, smart and inspiring. Overall, this is one of my best experiences so far. And I will not only have this training certificate for memory sake but I promise to do all I can to contribute to the fight against climate change.
