Empowering Kayole Youth for a Healthier Future

In the heart of Kayole, a group of 35 young people came together for a transformative training on nutrition and planetary health, organized by the Nutrition Alliance for Planetary Health and Budgets (NAPHBUT). This initiative aimed to equip the youth with the knowledge and skills to improve their community's well-being and environmental sustainability.   

The training was a dynamic blend of learning and collaboration. Jamal Mwangi, representing NAPHBUT, introduced the organization's mission: to connect nutrition, planetary health, and public resource management. The youth learned about the complex nutrition challenges facing Kenya, including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and the rising concern of overweight and obesity. Samira, one of the facilitators, explained about stunting, wasting and underweight and demonstrated how to assess malnutrition.  

A critical part of the training focused on the impact of climate change on food security in Kayole. Participants discussed how changing weather patterns threaten access to nutritious food, driving up prices and exacerbating water shortages. The youth actively shared their experiences of the 2024 El Nino floods, detailing the social, economic, health, and nutritional consequences for their community. They also worked together to propose solutions, emphasizing the need for relief efforts, resilient infrastructure, accessible healthcare, and community support.   The training was a success, with participants expressing satisfaction with the relevant and accessible content. The youth's engagement, particularly from young first time parents, highlighted the importance of this knowledge. While challenges were minimal, the participants requested more practical, hands-on training in the future.   

This initiative by NAPHBUT empowered Kayole's youth to become agents of change, addressing the interconnected challenges of nutrition and planetary health and building a stronger, healthier community.