Beyond Words: Sharon Ambani Tamba and Violet Auma Transform Environmental Journalism
By Seliphar Machoni and Jael Sada
For years, journalists have been recognized for their role in reporting on social events. However, Sharon Ambani and Violet Auma are challenging this narrative. They go beyond simply reporting and instead, they actively embody the principles they advocate for. As environmental journalists, they set an example by showing that the solutions they write about can be put into practice.
Sharon Ambani is currently working on a mission to transform our villages into green havens and revive the declining nature in our communities. In Kakamega County, she is dedicated to cultivating flourishing forests and villages.
Sharon, an award-winning journalist, exudes a deep passion for environmental conservation in her work. With five years of experience in the field, she has wholeheartedly devoted herself to increasing awareness about urgent environmental issues through both her reporting and active involvement in conservation efforts.
Sharon's dedication to environmental conservation traces back to her childhood in a rural village, where she witnessed the devastating effects of deforestation on local communities. Inspired by her brother, who taught her the importance of preserving nature, Sharon developed a profound commitment to environmental stewardship at a young age.
"I grew up in a village surrounded by trees and the melodies of birds," she said. "Observing my brother plant and nurture trees all around our home, I became passionate about conserving nature. Together, we founded the African Network for Sustainability, an organization dedicated to transforming rural landscapes into thriving ecosystems."
Sharon's journalism career allowed her to combine her love for storytelling with her environmental passion. She has written extensively on deforestation in the Kakamega forest, pollution, and the circular economy in Kakamega County, shedding light on crucial environmental issues.
"I have written impactful stories about environmental conservation, such as one that focuses on women's efforts to preserve the Kakamega Rainforest. It highlights how women in the area are planting and protecting trees to safeguard our only rainforest. This caught the attention of the Kakamega County government, which pledged to provide more tree seedlings to support their efforts. Another recent story I wrote centers on an organization that advocates for green energy by creating briquettes from sugarcane waste. This is particularly essential in Kakamega County, where harmful methane gas is released by sugarcane millers."
In addition to her reporting duties, Sharon is actively engaged in environmental conservation. She has initiated a tree-planting project in her community, organized town clean-ups, and volunteered with local conservation organizations to plant more trees and improve the environment.
Upper photo: Sharon, alongside fellow journalists, participating in a clean-up at Butali Market.
Lower photo: Sharon planting a tree.
She strongly advocates for not only planting trees but also taking care of them because she believes it is our responsibility to protect our Earth.
Sharon's journey in environmental conservation began with her and her brother educating their community about the importance of tree planting. Inspired by this initiative, she became more involved in protecting the environment. Now, she is a member of My Green Village, an organization dedicated to regreening villages and communities. On World Cleanup days, Sharon brings together journalists to clean up Kakamega town.
Through her reporting and activism, Sharon has significantly raised environmental awareness and influenced policy changes. Her investigative work has held corporations accountable for environmental abuses, and her advocacy efforts have motivated communities to take action against environmental degradation.
"As a journalist, I believe it's my responsibility to educate and inform the society. I use my role as a community journalist to report on environmental stories that offer solutions and drive change. One of my articles on the circular economy sparked a debate among policymakers about recycling sugarcane waste and promoting clean energy. By joining the My Green Village initiative, I encourage people to plant and care for trees properly, I emphasize the importance of choosing indigenous and fruit trees," she explained.
Sharon has also overcome cultural barriers that traditionally hindered women from planting trees.
"In Luhya culture, tree planting was seen as a male activity. However, I am pleased to say that women are now actively involved in planting and growing trees, thanks to their progress beyond this cultural aspect," she said.
Despite limited resources, Sharon remains determined to report on environmental issues using innovative storytelling techniques. She collaborates with like-minded individuals to amplify her messages and bring about change.
Initially, she faced challenges in finding experts for her stories but improved her ability to source experts through training and fellowships. She is part of professional groups that help her tell stories that push for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals such as the Africa 21 Network. She says such organizations have equipped her with the knowledge of writing quality stories for her audience.
Handling the financial aspects of covering these stories is challenging because it requires resources for visiting communities and seeking experts. However, Sharon has overcome this obstacle by applying for media grants, which have facilitated the coverage of her stories.
Sharon and fellow environmental journalists attending a circular economy workshop in Nairobi
She is hopeful for the future of environmental journalism and eagerly anticipates an awards ceremony where journalists can shape environmental policies, hold polluters accountable, and empower communities to protect their natural resources. Sharon emphasizes the important role journalists play in advocating for environmental conservation.
"Our planet is currently facing unprecedented challenges, particularly as a result of climate change. However, through conservation efforts, we have the ability to restore our environment. I deeply value nature because it provides us with essential resources such as the air we breathe and the food we eat. It is our responsibility to protect and conserve it. As journalists, we have a unique opportunity to drive positive change and ensure a sustainable future," she emphasized.
"Reporting on environmental crimes also poses challenges, as it can result in attacks from those involved. Environmental journalists have even been killed or arrested for investigating these crimes. On this World's Press Freedom Day under the theme: A Press for the Planet, Journalism in the face of environmental crisis, I urge all stakeholders to give scribes ample time when covering environmental issues," she added.
Violet Auma, also an award-winning journalist, is strongly dedicated to environmental conservation. Her journey from being a journalist to hosting workshops has transformed her role as a storyteller and ignited a movement for change.
Violet Auma
"In my career, I realized that as journalists, we can do more than just report. I wanted to explore how journalism could contribute to a greener future by providing practical solutions," she said. "As an environmental reporter, I consistently covered pollution without taking any action. That's when I made the decision to find a solution. I started creating flower vessels using plastic bottles."
With unwavering determination, Violet embarked on a mission to collect plastic bottles whenever she goes to cover stories and events, firmly believing in their untapped potential and rejecting the notion that they are mere waste.
"As a journalist, I wanted to practice what I report. If I couldn't do it myself, why should I write about it? I wanted to demonstrate that these ideas were feasible and practical," she explained.
Violet credits her innovative environmental activism to her background in journalism.
"At first, I wasn't sure if I could create these vessels. However, through training sessions and workshops, I gained the necessary knowledge and skills. These sessions also introduced me to recycling organizations and sparked ideas for repurposing plastic bottles. So, I decided to take action," Violet explained.
When asked about her process for collecting plastic bottles and creating flower vessels, Violet shared that she made the vessels by hand, without relying on machines.
"I would gather plastic bottles wherever I found them and bring them home to make flower vessels. People used to look at me skeptically, but I ignored their doubts. After collecting the plastic, I would carefully cut them according to a specific pattern and then invert the bottles to create a design. It wasn't easy, but after five attempts, I finally crafted a stunning vessel. On a productive day, I could make over 10 vessels," she explained.
Violet already crafted flower vessels.
Despite facing obstacles such as limited time, finding suitable materials, and selecting the right type of plastic bottles to achieve the desired pattern, Violet remained undeterred in expanding her innovation.
"To make the flower vessels, I needed environmentally friendly sprays. However, obtaining these sprays in different colors to make visually appealing vessels proved challenging. I also struggled with time management, needing to balance my work between news reporting and crafting the vessels. Finding time to create the vessels was challenging, but I made it work. I worked alone, except for those who collected plastic bottles on my behalf," she explained.
Sprays and various tools Violet utilizes in crafting flower vessels
Violet saw the recycling industry as a way to tackle the issue of youth unemployment. According to government statistics, 67 percent of young people between the ages of 18 and 35 are unemployed. Every year, over 800,000 young people graduate from universities and higher learning institutions, adding to the already high numbers of jobless youth.
Violet's innovation had a two-fold impact. Firstly, by collecting plastic bottles from dumping sites and other locations, she prevented them from polluting the environment and causing problems like clogging drains and rivers. Secondly, she transformed these bottles into reusable flower vessels, which also added aesthetic benefits to urban spaces.
Violet expressed gratitude to her family, friends, and colleagues for their support.
"Initially, my mother had reservations, but after witnessing the positive impact of my work, she changed her mind. Some of my colleagues even became my customers themselves, purchasing my flower vessels. Additionally, the CEO of MESHA, an organization focused on media, environment, science, health, and agriculture, was impressed by my innovation."
In addition to her role as a journalist, Violet demonstrated her commitment to environmental activism, showing how one can advocate for the environment while maintaining journalistic integrity. She believed that journalists have the expertise and authority to report on environmental issues effectively by actively engaging in activities that bring about positive change.
Lake Victoria has suffered significant financial losses of Ksh 40 billion from the Kenyan government, with plastic waste playing a major role in this problem.
According to the UN Environment Program, the world produces and consumes 430 million tons of plastic every year, with two-thirds of it being short-lived products that quickly turn into waste.
Since 1950, a staggering 9.2 billion tons of plastic have been produced, with 7 billion tons ending up as waste and polluting various ecosystems. Without immediate action, the amount of plastic waste is predicted to triple by 2060, posing severe consequences for ecosystems and human health.
Therefore, it is essential to reduce unnecessary plastic use, develop reusable, repurposable, repairable, and recyclable products, and transition to non-plastic alternatives. Strengthening waste management systems is also crucial.
Elizabeth Wathuti, an environmental expert, highly recommends Violet's initiative due to its positive impact on local communities. Not only does it reduce plastic waste, but it also enhances the appearance of urban spaces.
Wathuti highlights the practical nature of involving people in repurposing waste materials, showcasing its potential.
"Violet's work encourages individuals to reconsider their relationship with plastic, contributing to broader efforts to decrease plastic waste, promote urban greening, and improve the environment," Wathuti said.
Sharon and Violet's environmental conservation efforts align with several Sustainable Development Goals.
By planting trees and creating green spaces in various areas, she contributes to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, promoting inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban development.
Violet promotes responsible consumption and production through her initiative of repurposing plastic bottles into flower vessels, reducing waste, and promoting recycling. This initiative falls under SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Both journalists address a range of environmental issues, including deforestation, plastic pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Through their advocacy and practical initiatives, they contribute to SDG 13: Climate Action.
Sharon's work also extends to SDG 15: Life on Land, where she actively supports the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. She focuses on preserving biodiversity, tree planting, and habitat restoration.
Furthermore, both journalists demonstrate their commitment to SDG 17: Partnerships for Goals. They engage with communities, organizations, and experts, working together to achieve their environmental conservation goals. By amplifying their impact and fostering collective action, they strive for meaningful change.
On World Press Freedom Day in 2024 , Violet and Sharon inspire fellow journalists to embrace solution journalism. They recognize the power of journalism to effect change in society and encourage their colleagues to go beyond words, taking action through reporting and active engagement with the subjects they cover. They also emphasize the importance of seeking additional income-generating opportunities to support sustainability efforts.