Episode 54: 2021 Kofi Annan Changemaker: Irene Nagudi with Morag Gamble

My wonderful guest on this episode is a 2021 Kofi Annan Changemaker, a Ugandan permaculture gardener and educator living in near the capital city of Kampala, Irene Nagudi. Through this work she is also a peacemaker, climate activist and conservation educator. She dreams of starting a permaculture education farm outside of the city to give youth a fresh perspective on a way to move forward - a good example to show what is possible.  Currently she runs a permaculture program called Kichini Gardeners - encouraging people with just tiny spaces to grow kitchen gardens and recycle their wastes. Connect -Learn - Lead is her motto.

The recent International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report in August 2021 tells us that climate change is human induced, happening faster and affecting people and places everywhere.  People like Irene are stepping up around the world to influence positive change in as many ways they can.

Irene  was infuriated by being part of groups where young people were sidelined and was determined that the youth voice about what needs to be done and what is important for the future and well-being of people in her community and the planet. 'Being silenced hurts a lot' she said.

She has followed her heart, is learning permaculture, has become a Youth Climate Ambassador, works with young women in slums and reaches out to children around her community - she says connecting with children is the way to reach the parents and grandparents. Her dedication has led to her proudly being selected as one of the 12 young people who are the 2021 Kofi Annan Changemakers. She is part of this program to amplify her work in her urban permaculture education program.

Irene is creating urban permaculture gardens and welcoming young people to come and get involved. Her aim is to ripple this out from her own community to schools and beyond. Irene is introducing composting, tiny gardening, seed saving and natural methods of growing. As well as food gardening, she sees this as a peace-building project, climate action, nature connection and poverty alleviation program.

Irene encourages us that everyone has a role to play and we can all influence others to join us - and to use your efforts to make this more visible.

Here are some other links to Kichini Gardeners on

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