Looking into the mirror of creation, do you love and like what you see? The answer is deep in your heart.

A lot is going on around environmental conservation, our planet is slowly slipping from our grasp and is suffering from our unfair treatment, resulting in numerous negative consequences on us too. We are because they protected what we found! What are we doing for those coming after us?

These days we hear things like the sun is nearing planet Earth, seasons are changing and unpredictable, and the world can no longer manage to recycle the waste material it produces, fossil fuels are a threat to humanity, people and animals are dying of hunger, the poor are facing the margins of climate Change the family is threatened and even indeed suffering.

Secondly, were we given the world in its entirety, and is it still the same? some may argue against the interconnection between nature and humanity but it’s evident we are interdependent however, nature can exist without us, we can’t exist without nature. Think about that.

Lastly, God entrusted us with the Earth as co-creators; are we fulfilling our duty? If you get a chance to check on our media campaigns which you can find on different social media platforms “Laudato Youth Initiative” we reflect on our duty to fulfill our God-given obligation as Catholic Youth.

The Pope’s encyclical serves the purpose of guiding us in answering these questions, as the world appears to have fragmented in various ways due to a lack of love and failure to care for one another because all the focus is on what can earn us money and bring quick develop humanity is reaped of its dignity to enjoy the beauty of creation. The connection between humanity and ecology is now a long bridge to cross.

As a young Laudato Youth Leader, if there is other thing that I think deserves our utmost attention, it is nature. We must actively seek to preserve and maintain its natural beauty. The recent Laudate Deum, which is addressed to all people of goodwill, sheds light on the insensitivity to what is happening to our environment, I always tell fellow youth the best way to understand this whole situation is to look at what is happening around you as guided by Laudato Si Chapter One. “What is happening to our common home. Then you will realize we are not in touch with the reality. I want to ask you, dear reader. Look around your home, community, and surroundings in general are things, ok? And what do you think you can do to be part of the solution, not the problem?

I recently followed the proceedings of COP28 one word for my reflection is it time to implement what we discuss in meetings? We know the heated debates about flooding in many cities and town, food shortage for the poor and vulnerable children of the world and the indigenous communities.

Looking at it from the Laudato Youth perspective, we exist to inspire young people in schools, Universities, Parishes, and Families to take care of creation. Our motto is “United for Climate Action”. The future dear young people lie in our hands we can choose”. To sleep and watch? but the consequences will be faced by us. but then we can choose to work with our elders and make a difference. The time to act is now, Plant trees and manage material waste, talk to your leaders on how you can work together to reduce Carbon emissions, and make your community or parish on how to make the world a better place because this issue in some ways is also a threat to the human family.

As the Laudato Youth Initiative, we raise the voices of young people and encourage them to take action in response to the problem. We also use digital media to raise awareness because we believe this message is for all people. Iam often challenged when I reflect on the experiences of suffering some people are going through because of Climate Change and the environmental crisis. St. Francis of Assisi provides a powerful example for us all, teaching us to answer the Earth’s call of being good stewards by keeping it natural and beautiful. Let us continue to pray through him and Act in our families, Churches and communities, so that the good Lord may grant us the grace to renew the face of the earth. Amen.”

Sarah Kirikumwino

Laudato Clubs’ President