It started as a simple community walk, but by the end, it felt like stepping into the future of Nairobi’s public spaces. Together with our partner Dreamtown, the PSN team joined community members on a journey through Kamukunji Park, Dandora Community Park, Komb Green in Korogocho, and several new sites where youth teams shortlisted for the YCCFC have already begun their transformation work. Do you remember why parks matter so much in the story of climate resilience? They are not just open grounds; they are living classrooms where solutions to floods, heat, and pollution take root. That’s why this walk was different. It wasn’t about sightseeing! It was about witnessing resilience in action, and asking ourselves what lessons we could carry forward. At Kamukunji Park, the walk began with history. Known as a place of national memory, it is now being reimagined as a space where culture, community, and nature meet. By blending natural greenery with spaces for cultural expression. It is becoming a living symbol of how the past and the future can coexist; honoring history while opening its grounds to the daily life and resilience of today’s communities.

We then moved to Dandora Community Park, where neglected land has been reborn into a vibrant green space, giving families a place to connect through community events that make the park lively and welcoming. At Komb Green, the riverside told another story: how determined hands can turn waste grounds into lush gardens by clearing out piles of garbage that had covered the riverbank, then planted trees and grass to hold the soil together and stop erosion. This is a reminder that resilience is not imported! It is grown, one tree, one park, one season at a time. The final stop brought the future into sharp focus. At the sites being developed by youth teams under YCCFC, we were not just shown drawings we were walked through master plans and detailed work schedules. The youth-led groups confidently explained how, when, and why their projects would unfold, from community parks to gardens that help control flooding. It wasn’t theory. It was proof of what happens when local knowledge is met with trust, resources, and opportunity. Still, the walk also surfaced the challenges these youth-led groups face every day in reimagining and transforming public spaces. A key need is red soil for planting and landscaping, but the cost of buying and transporting it is often far beyond what their budgets can cover. This makes it hard to prepare the grounds properly and slows down the progress of their work.

In Korogocho and some parts of Dandora, open sewers continue to drain untreated waste into the Nairobi River, threatening not only the health of ecosystems but also the safety of surrounding communities. These are not small obstacles; they are structural challenges that require broader collaboration and long-term commitment. And then there’s the question of resources. With PSN’s support, the youth groups are already delivering visible transformations; empty corners turned into small sitting areas where people can relax; plain walls painted with creative art that tells community stories and neglected spaces changed into green spots with flowers that make the area more attractive. But to fully integrate climate change adaptation strategies and scale these efforts across more neighborhoods, they need your support. Picture how many neglected spaces could be transformed, and how many families could benefit. The vision is clear and the plans are already in motion! What’s left? The ability to expand and sustain this work which depends on collective investment. To explore how you can contribute, reach out to us at [email protected]