Empowering citizens on effects of climate change

Margaret Wamboi in her mask she made during the Art of Change 21 campaign. [Photo by Lucie Morangi/chinadaily.com.cn]

An international art initiative aimed at empowering citizens in environment conservation was launched over the weekend in Kenya's down-market area of Kangemi.

Known as the Maskbook campaign and organized by Art of Change 21, a French not-for-profit organization, the event saw more 200 teenagers put their creative skills to good use by making face masks out of recycled materials.

One of the attendees, 15-year-old Margaret Wamboi said her interest to learn about effects of air pollution was roused when she and her seven-year-old sibling nearly died of carbon monoxide poisoning two years ago.

"My mother had left us in the house and locked the door behind her. The cooking stove was still on since it was a cold evening," said Wamboi. She only realized their lives were in danger when her sister lost consciousness. Luckily, the door could be unlocked from inside and she escaped together with her sister before calling the neighbors for help. "It is a common phenomenon around here," said the girl.

Kangemi is home to more than 100,000 of Nairobi's low-income population.