Peacebuilding involves various activities among all age groups. On April 18, 2025, the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Kenya partnered with the Kenya Universities and Colleges Students’ Association, SMACH Foundation, NACADA, and others to host an active and fun-filled day for hundreds of young people in Kibiku, Kiambu County. Laughter, teamwork, and change were highlighted throughout the day as the young people joined forces to plant trees and participate in an energetic soccer tournament.
GPF Kenya organizes a tree planting and sports day for youth.
What may seem like two unrelated activities underscores how empowering youth through sports encourages teamwork and creates a bond among young participants from different backgrounds to engage in peacebuilding activities. As environmental stewards planting trees together for a sustainable future, the activity reinforced the value of action in moral and innovative leadership.
Valuing and empowering young people is a central tenet of GPF Kenya. According to the organization’s Family Program Manager Willis Omondi, “This wasn’t just a tournament or a tree-planting drive. It was a statement that young people are ready to shape the future, not just for themselves, but for generations to come.”
Participants plant trees together.
Participants plant trees together.
GPF Kenya’s Environment program is one of its key initiatives. Promoting environmental conservation and stability, the One Million Tree Growing campaign was implemented in 2021 in partnership with the Chandaria Foundation, Standard Media Group, UNIACF, Kenya Forest Service, and other environmental conservation stakeholders to increase the country’s national forest cover.
The campaign empowers youth to take an active role in environmental sustainability and sets the stage for their early involvement in such an important endeavor. Working with schools and universities to provide seedlings for reforestation promotes environmental conservation, educates young people about environmental sustainability, and encourages their active participation at a young age.
Soccer team celebrates a win during a peacebuilding sports day organized by GPF Kenya and partners.
GPF Kenya’s combination of sports and tree planting highlights the importance of providing opportunities for young people to overcome differences, come together, and help create a sustainable environment for everyone. Peacebuilding starts at an early age and is driven by various activities that may seem unrelated but have an underlying connectedness. Empowering youth today creates a solid foundation for tomorrow.
Peacebuilding is a collective effort dependent on everyone, regardless of religious, cultural, ethical, or other differences. GPF’s vision of One Family Under God is based on the foundation of our shared humanity and universal principles. It brings together people from diverse backgrounds to participate in peacebuilding activities that foster unity, peaceful coexistence, and social cohesion.
