Students at GS Remera Protestant were encouraged to take an active role in environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and understanding the importance of trees and proper waste separation.
The message was delivered on November 4, 2026, when Green Voice Rwanda visited the school. The activity brought together more than 1,089 students, teachers and a representative of Forest4Life, an organisation involved in environmental protection initiatives.
Green Voice Rwanda is a synergy of journalism students and graduates from four universities in Rwanda: Mount Kigali University (MKU), East African University Rwanda (EAUR), Institut Catholique de Kabgayi (ICK), and the University of Rwanda, Huye Campus.
The students came together after participating in environmental journalism workshops organised by the FOJO Media Institute through the Rwanda Media Programme. Following the workshops, they committed to producing stories about environmental issues, including climate change, wetlands, biodiversity and environmental conservation, while also sharing knowledge with others.
NDUWAYEZU Jean Claude, Dean of Students at East African University Rwanda, commended Green Voice Rwanda and the management of GS Remera Protestant for the initiative to encourage students to participate in environmental protection. He urged students to continue caring for the environment from an early age, emphasising that everyone has a responsibility to look after the trees they plant and ensure their protection.
He added that young people are a driving force behind national development and play an important role in accelerating progress across different sectors, particularly through sharing ideas and implementing environmental protection measures.
He said: “Every university is always happy to see students coming together and contributing to the development of the country.”
Patrick Niyonkuru, an EAUR journalism graduate and representative of Green Voice Rwanda, said the initiative’s objective goes beyond producing environmental stories to include sharing knowledge with communities on environmental protection, particularly among young people.
In his remarks, Patrick said: “The best time to protect the environment was yesterday, but the opportunity we have left is today.”
He went on to say that Rwanda continues to strengthen its efforts to address the effects of climate change and establish environmental protection measures, as reflected in the country’s Vision 2050. He encouraged young people to use their energy, knowledge and ideas to contribute to achieving development goals and building a sustainable future.
He also noted that environmental protection requires more than awareness and knowledge; it must be accompanied by practical action. He emphasised that environmental challenges remain among the world’s pressing concerns and that everyone has a role to play in addressing them.
During the activity, Green Voice Rwanda members and participants planted trees, donated materials, including dustbins and reusable bottles, and encouraged students to continue taking part in environmental protection initiatives.
The participants also discussed the idea of “My Tree”, which aims to encourage everyone to feel responsible for caring for the trees they plant. However, a tree is not considered the private property of the person who planted it but rather a shared public resource that everyone should help protect.
AKIMPAYE Sandrine, President of the Environmental Club at GS Remera Protestant, said hosting Green Voice Rwanda provided students with an opportunity to expand their knowledge and participate in practical environmental protection activities.
She added that students are committed to continuing their involvement in environmental conservation, saying: “We were happy to welcome our senior colleagues studying at different universities, and we have also committed ourselves to continuing to play a role in protecting the environment.”
BIZIMANA Jean Baptiste, Deputy Headteacher in charge of discipline at GS Remera Protestant, thanked Green Voice Rwanda for its partnership with the school. He said initiatives of this kind help students understand the value of plants and animals while promoting a culture of caring for the school environment and its surroundings.
In his remarks, he said: “We were pleased to see university journalism students coming together to share knowledge with others and produce environmental stories.”
HAKORIMANA James, representing Forest for Life, emphasised that sharing knowledge with young people is an important pillar of environmental conservation because it enables them to pass that knowledge on to their peers.
James highlighted the importance of planting and protecting trees, saying: “A tree planted today is a promise, but a tree well protected is the future.”
He explained that trees help purify the air, protect soil against erosion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He urged students to continue caring for the trees they planted by watering them and protecting them from damage.
The activity highlights the importance of cooperation among young people, schools and different organisations in environmental conservation, demonstrating what can be achieved when collective efforts are brought together.
Written by LEANDRE Abizeye
