On Saturday, young people aged 8 to 19 in Makhado gathered to celebrate Youth Day and discuss the pressing issue of climate change. Hosted by the non-profit organisation Save the Children at Elim Hlanganani Society for the Care of the Aged, the event brought together ore than 40 learners who shared their understanding of climate change and its impact on their lives.
Under the rallying cry "Who are you and what do you like? We want our voices heard!", the youths prepared to address topics such as education and climate change. When asked about how climate change affected them as learners, they recounted personal experiences of losing homes or parents due to floods, which left them feeling lost and vulnerable.
"Losing a parent or a home puts us in a very difficult situation. As young people, we don't know how to cope, and sometimes we turn to substance abuse," one learner said.
Following this discussion, the learners were divided into five groups to create drawings illustrating their experiences with climate change. Each group produced powerful illustrations depicting the effects of climate change, showcasing their creativity and perspectives.