At the heart of Makueni County’s arid landscapes, Kenyan health advocate Ogweno Stephen is pioneering an innovative model for community-driven climate resilience and non-communicable disease (NCDs) prevention. In partnership with Info4Food and the Chyulu Development Foundation, he recently brought this transformative project to Ulilinzi Primary School in Kibwezi—melding climate education, tree planting, and NCDs awareness under one roof.

As Founder and Executive Director of Stowelink Foundation, Ogweno began the day by training students, parents, and teachers on how climate change exacerbates NCDs through poor nutrition, air pollution, and extreme weather. Joined by his colleague Saif from Info4Food, he made the science accessible with interactive sessions, revealing how a warming planet can fuel rising rates of diabetes, heart disease, and other preventable conditions.

Next came action: the planting of over 500 fruit trees, each tied to the “One Tree, One Student” pledge. These saplings—mango, pawpaw, and mulberry—will provide shade, improve local biodiversity, and yield nutrient-rich fruit that supports healthy diets. Community leaders committed to nurturing the young trees, while parents and children worked side-by-side digging holes and watering the seedlings, symbolizing collective ownership of both environmental stewardship and public health.

This integrated approach reinforces Stowelink’s belief in grassroots solutions: equipping future climate-health champions with knowledge and hands-on experience. By linking tree planting to food security and NCDs prevention, Ogweno Stephen and his team are creating a living classroom that will grow stronger each season.

We look forward to returning in a year’s time to see how these trees—and the community’s health—flourish. Stay tuned for more updates as Stowelink continues to lead at the intersection of climate action and NCDs advocacy across Kenya and beyond.

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Key Outcomes

• 500+ fruit trees planted under “One Tree, One Student”
• Interactive climate–NCDs workshops for 200+ students, parents, and teachers
• Strengthened community ownership of environmental and health outcomes

About Stowelink Foundation
Stowelink empowers communities through innovative projects that tackle NCDs, climate change, and food security. Learn more at Stowelink Foundation.