Age can never be a barrier for those who want to change the world. They are indomitable, courageous, and fearless fighters. A determination to never give up lies deep within their hearts. That is why nothing can hold them back. They observe their surroundings carefully and then realize that the world and the environment are not the way they hope them to be. So they dream of a new world. And no one else will build that world for them—they will build it themselves, leaving behind a beautiful, dream-filled planet for future generations.
Throughout history, such people have been born time and again. Their number is not small. Many have done extraordinary things even before stepping from childhood into adolescence—achievements that made the whole world recognize and remember them. This is the story of one such young girl. Her name is Elian Wanjiku Kliston.
Elian loves cycling around Hillview Estate in Nairobi, Kenya. She dreams of covering the world in green and wants to become a worthy successor of Wangari Maathai. In fact, she has already managed to introduce herself on the global stage as Maathai’s successor. Elian is just 13 years old, born and raised in Kenya. At the age of only eight, she received the “Eco Warrior” award from the Government of Kenya and was recognized as the country’s youngest Mashujaa (national hero). She began planting trees at the age of four, and by the time she turned thirteen, the number of trees she had planted reached an astonishing 1.3 million. In 2021, at just ten years old, she was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship. Elian works tirelessly for tree plantation and to stop plastic pollution. She believes that by 2050, about 70% of the world’s population will live in cities, and therefore, if we want healthy and beautiful lives, our cities must be green and environmentally sound.
When Elian was only four years old and studying in kindergarten, her class was assigned a project on heroes. While working on that project, she first learned about Wangari Maathai, Africa’s first female Nobel laureate and a world-renowned Kenyan environmentalist. The more little Elian learned about Maathai’s work, the more fascinated she became. A deep love and admiration for Maathai grew in her young heart. She kept wishing, “If only I could be like her.” She decided to make Maathai her role model.
Later, she learned that her idol was no longer alive. That realization sparked a powerful thought in Elian’s mind—then I will become the leader of this work myself. Learning about Maathai’s life nurtured her love for trees and inspired her to engage in tree plantation. She had heard many stories about Maathai planting mango trees, and Elian herself loved mangoes. She often joked that she was born to eat mangoes. The day she completed her kindergarten project and returned home, she planted her very first tree—a lemon tree. That night, hugging her mother, she softly asked if she could be taken to Karura Forest, a magnificent forest in Nairobi. After repeated requests, her mother finally agreed.
When Elian visited the forest, she was overwhelmed with wonder. As far as the eye could see, there were trees of all sizes. She felt that this was the kind of green world that must be created. Nearby, there was a small shop selling saplings. Elian asked her mother to buy a few. They planted them the same day. From that moment on, her love for tree plantation grew stronger. She began planting trees in nearby schools, finding immense joy in the process. She felt as if the trees were whispering to her.
A few years later, with her mother’s support, Elian formed an organization with young people called “Children With Nature.” The goal of the organization was to connect children and teenagers who loved trees and dreamed of a green planet—working together as a team. They decided to ensure climate security, reduce global warming, and align their activities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as Kenya Vision 2030. The organization mainly includes children who want to protect the planet and leave behind a safe and beautiful world for future generations.
Elian and her team started visiting schools to talk to children about why planting trees is important and how plastic pollution damages the environment. They explained how these problems can be addressed. So far, they have visited 79 schools, distributing tree seeds for plantation. They have also gifted seeds to hotels and parks to encourage environmental change. Funding such activities required a lot of money. Elian began with her own pocket money, savings, and some support from her mother. Later, many people, inspired by her work, began donating money, seeds, and saplings, accelerating her tree-planting mission.
Born in Nairobi, Elian never imagined her work would spread so widely. Today, her organization’s tree plantation program extends beyond Kenya and across Africa—and even into the United States. While many people plant trees, Elian’s efforts through her organization have turned into a continent-wide movement. From age four to thirteen, over nine years, she and her organization have planted 1.3 million trees.
Elian calls upon children and teenagers worldwide to join this movement for a clean, green planet. Anyone interested can visit their official website, share what they want to do, how they want to do it, and how they wish to contribute.
Elian’s mission does not stop at Nairobi. Inspired by Wangari Maathai, she aims to spread greening efforts globally. Her current goal is to plant trees across 8,000 kilometers of the Sahel Desert, restore 100 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, and recycle 250 million tons of carbon. She also plans to plant bamboo to help clean rivers and generate income to sustain her work, along with planting acacia trees to provide shade. This year alone, she aims to plant 1 million trees in the Sahel.
Recently, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Forestry, Keriako Tobiko, appointed Elian as Co-Chair of the Michuki Park Urban Green Space Project. On the park’s inauguration day, Elian personally guided President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta around the park. Her responsibility in the project is to ensure greenery while creating spaces where children can play and learn simultaneously.
Elian believes unchecked tree cutting for human settlements is harming the environment. She advocates that trees should only be cut when absolutely necessary—and even then, more trees must be planted in return. She recalls being heartbroken when the largest tree near her school was cut down to make space for a building. Even then, she understood why it was done, but she worried about people’s lack of awareness regarding environmental risks.
Elian feels adults should take greater responsibility for protecting the environment, as they understand the consequences better. Her mother, though shy and reserved, plays a vital role in supporting her work financially.
Despite facing criticism and discouraging comments in new schools, Elian never gave up. She believes development is not just about wide roads, tall buildings, and luxury cars, but also about reducing air and water pollution and lowering child mortality due to malnutrition. Environmental destruction may not show immediate consequences, but its devastating effects will be felt when it is too late to reverse them.
Elian urges young people not to lose hope. Start small—plant a seed from a fruit you eat. Change begins with small steps, just like a child learning to walk. Convince your parents, seek support, and eventually influence governments, because they have land and power to make large-scale change.
Recently, Elian collaborated with football star David Beckham on cholera awareness campaigns. As Kenya’s youngest environmentalist, she continues working relentlessly to raise awareness among children and teenagers. World-famous blogger Nas Daily has featured her story, and so far, Elian has written three books.
Source: The Daily Khoborer Kagoj
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