Tree planting and parental support for girls' education
Location:
Bugesera, Rwanda
Art Medium:
Mural, Poetry, Dance
Partner:
Bwiza Youth Bridge
Artist:
The Challenge
At Bwiza Youth Bridge's partner school in Bugesera, Rwanda, girls interviewed 45 community members (including teachers, local leaders, fellow students, and parents, about the primary challenges to girls staying in school. They learned that rising temperatures caused by prolonged and increasingly intense dry seasons are making it harder for girls to focus on their studies, resulting in poor academic performance.
The Action
• Girls organized tree planting across school classes (at least two trees per class) to build climate resilience and improve the school environment
• Created a mural emphasizing the importance of education
• Presented poetry and spoken word pieces exploring how climate change impacts girls' ability to stay in school
• Called on parents to provide consistent support and on learners to stay focused on their studies
The Impact
• After the CAP, girls formed study groups to support each other in exam preparation
• At the community event, parents publicly committed to supporting their daughters' learning, and collaborating with teachers when academic challenges arise rather than allowing girls to give up
• The mural stands as a permanent record of the community's investment in girls education
Photo Gallery
