From the streets to leading climate advocacy

Story by Nicera Wanjiru, KYCTV

Originally posted on kyctvke.wordpress.com

Byron Owino, climate champion.

“We are mistreating Mother Nature, and we are having greedy aspirations, as a result, Mother Nature is angry and she is hitting back, and things aren’t the same as they used to be. The ecosystem is not balancing naturally the way it is meant to. We have put our interest first as humans and we forgot about humanity. Our lives are gradually changing due to the worse. Climate change is here and it’s getting worse. We want nature to treat us good while we are busy treating it wrongly”.

These are the words of Byron Owino a young man who was once a street boy. His passion and determination couldn’t hold him back from speaking about matters close to his heart (Mother Nature and Climate Change). It takes courage for a man to share his story. Nicera Wanjiru speaks to Byron who hails in Naivasha about his journey. Despite his hardship in the streets and in the hands of a mean cruel aunt, he has emerged to become a Climate Champion.

About Byron.

“My name is Byron, am a climate champion, a speaker and a poet. I am also a Youth Leader. Am a passionate individual on matters pertaining to the environment and conversation, human rights as well as social-economic justice. I am the Organizing Secretary of NACCAN, an environmentally inclined network comprising of grassroots environmental groups working within Naivasha Sub-County. We focus on Environmental Conservation, garbage management and environmental advocacy. NACCAN Membership cuts across all age groups” Says Byron.

“I was born in Naivasha. During the early years of my life, I was a street boy. It was at this time I, gained a passion for speaking about issues close to my heart. I needed my voice to be heard as the voice of the voiceless.

Speaking on behalf of others helped me a lot. It built my self-confidence, I was able to speak up for myself. When you learn to speak about others and yourself the passion becomes real. I want to see human suffering alleviated and the suffering of Mother Nature Alleviated. I am more action-based no matter how little the actions are, it should be more progressive”

Domestic Violence Landed Me in the Streets.

“Domestic violence led me to the streets, I was young, I was only 8 years old, and my family had challenges just like many other families. My mother at some point could not tolerate the domestic violence, she had to leave. I was the only boy in the family and the only person who would speak out in a family of five. We were left with our aunt, whom we thought would play a role of a mother but that wasn’t the case.

She became the tormentor but I hold nothing against her at this point. I used to speak out anytime I saw something wrong done to my siblings. This landed me in trouble I remember one day I was assaulted by my aunt and it was at that point I decided to be a fighter. I decided to gather myself together to fight, not physically but by speaking out. I had no option, the streets became the option.”

Life After The Streets.

“It was challenging. I am grateful my mum got me out of the streets. A woman I love and respect so much. It was hard to adapt because I had gotten myself into drugs and substance abuse but she saw me through and indeed it has been a motivation. My mother fought for me throughout this situation and  this reignited my passion towards the environment. Naturally I loved nature, I loved the environment. I had to bounce back and here I am.”

My Voice Was My Weapon.

Speaking out was Byron’s way of expressing himself in order to be heard. Equipped with a pen and a paper, he began communicating. He remembers vividly during his schooling days, he would write poems and essays about climate change that earned him recognition during the many competitions he won.  Later he began speaking about climate justice.

“When growing up I believed this is our heaven, it’s where we live, and if we mess our heaven waiting for the other heaven it’s a joke. I had to advocate and speak out with my community. They say knowledge is power and I took it upon myself to gather information on climate change.  I have been an advocate for Mother Nature. I have spoken to the authorities, to the young people in the social gatherings and the community. I have informed them it’s not only about talking but it’s all about the little action and consistency and also speaking out to the people who are involved and people who are concerned and that is what climate advocacy is all about” Says Byron.

My Motivation Towards Climate Change.

“Where I come from, there is a Lake (Lake Naivasha). It’s one of the greatest natural resources that we have. Unfortunately, the lake has been polluted by settlers living near the lake and by chemicals from factories.

Activities such as excessive cutting of trees, burning of charcoal, lack of proper solid waste management systems, have affected the ozone layer which is one of the reasons that prompted me to scale up and speak about matters regarding climate change and global warming. I don’t regret my decision. I am happy and proud of what I do, something I started since I was young.

To my fellow young people, let’s not take anything for granted because the future generation is in for a troubled living and a messed up ecosystem they will not be proud of their homes. We should not make hell for our children and future generation. Let’s make this a little heaven for our children. The little actions we do are going to transform. Let’s do the little positive actions by being the hummingbird and create that change because the time is now”.