Maureen is a 13-year-old pupil in Primary 6 in Moroto Municipal Council Primary School. She lives with her mother, and 3 siblings in Kakoliye Close 2 village, South Division subcounty, Moroto Municipality.
During the establishment of the Children Reference Group (CRG) under the Transforming the Future For and With Children program funded by the Norwegian Development Agency (NORAD), Maureen was one of the children applicants who had interest to join the children reference group. She sent her application to the Probation Officer and she was shortlisted for the CRG children interviews that took place in the various schools in Moroto that was conducted by the district technical team. She was one of the girls who emerged successful during the interviews and was considered as a member of the children reference group for Moroto.
The Children’s Reference Group (CRG) is a formal structure in different districts in Uganda that brings children together to meaningfully participate in advocacy, policy, and decision-making processes in matters that affect their lives.
Maureen together with the 24 successful children were trained by the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development and Save the Children on how to be great children advocates. Maureen is the Chairperson of the WASH and Environmental Clubs in her school as well.
Maureen says, “With all these leadership opportunities, I had to make a difference”. After getting the training as a member of the Children Reference Group and when she learnt about children’s rights to a safe, healthy environment, she decided to act.
“My school compound was dry, dusty, and lacked shade. During break times, pupils struggled to find cool places to rest. The heat affected concentration in class, and the bare compound made the school feel less welcoming”, said Maureen.
“I began advocating for tree planting within my school, during CRG meetings, school assemblies and at Climate events organised at the national level with international audiences. At these platforms, I explain how trees can improve the school environment, provide shade, reduce heat, act as wind breakers, beautify the environment, reduce dust, and even attract rainfall.”
Earlier this year, in April 2025, while speaking at the Africa Climate Seminar organised by Save the Children Norway, Maureen highlighted how the effects of climate change in Karamoja are forcing many children out of school. She explained that when children drop out, some are sent to work in mines, while others are married off at an early age both of which deny them their right to education and a brighter future.
She says, with support from her fellow school children, teachers and Children Reference Group members, ‘Tree Planting Day’ was organised whereby pupils were able to organize themselves through their leadership and got tree seedlings from the National Forestry Authority (NFA) office in Moroto district. Over 40 tree seedlings of different varieties including Guava, Lemon tree, Casia and Eucalyptus among others were offered freely, and children were able to plant them around the school compound.
“As a team leader, I managed to assign each class a task to care for these seedlings on daily basis by pouring water over them in the morning and evening to ensure that they grow”, said Maureen.
Today, the school compound is slowly transforming. The trees are growing, and pupils are proud of their efforts. Teachers report improved awareness and increased children’s participations on environmental issues. Maureen’s initiative has inspired other schools in Moroto Municipality like Nachele Community School Moroto, Moroto Army Barack's Primary School, Loletekea Community school among others to consider similar projects.
Maureen calls upon leaders to support and promote environmental protection, plan and budget for tree planting in communities and create awareness on the dangers of cutting down trees through community barazas, music, dance and drama and also put bi-laws that protect our environment.
