By Sarah Kirikumwino | Laudato Si Clubs President | September 30, 2025
Today was a special Day for Bethany Lands Institute and Laudato Youth Initiative as we gathered to celebrate the season of Creation. An event that brought together members of the community, institutions and faiths to remind ourselves of our role as stewards of Gods Creation. We were are reminded of our shared responsibility to foster “Peace with Creation.” This year’s theme invites us to create peace with God, nature and our neighbors, recognizing that true harmony must encompass all of creation.
Key to the event was the Laudato Si’ Green Mass
The day began with a Laudato Si’ Green Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Joseph Nsereko, Parish Priest of St. Kizito Nattyole Parish. In his heartfelt homily, he reminded us: “Each of us has a role to play in caring for creation. We must use our gifts and talents not only to protect the earth but also to awaken others to the urgency of this mission.” Fr. Nsereko emphasized the call to responsibility echoing Pope Francis’ powerful words in Laudato Si’: “The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all.” Laudato Si’ 23
During this remarkable event the Laudato Youth Initiative, in partnership with Bethany Land Institute, launched three new Laudato Si’ Clubs at St. Kizito Primary School, Wakatayi Primary School, and Bukasa Roman Catholic Primary School. These clubs are more than green clubs they are a practical response and fruit of the Laudato Si Africa Conference where LYI and BLI committed to enhance ecological education from the grassroots; in communities, institutions and churches. From building green sanctuaries of learning of integral ecology, to uniting young people with the community for Climate Action, and transformation driven by the spirit of Laudato Si’ and inspired by voices from grassroots families to communities and institutions across Uganda and Africa responding to church’s call for everyones talent in caring for God’s creation but also carrying on Pope Francis’ ecological legacy.
Youth as Prophets of Creation: Songs, Poetry & Drama
The students from all three schools presented thoughtful and creative pieces: songs, poems, and dramas that voiced both their concerns and hopes for the environment. Their performances reminded us that young people are not just the future they are the now, and their voices carry both urgency and inspiration. These creative expressions resonated with the message from the Africa Laudato Si’ Conference, which called for “ecological conversion rooted in culture and community.” Today’s event clearly demonstrated how unity in action, education, faith, and the arts can be woven together to form a powerful movement for change.
A Global Model with Local Roots: Learning from the MAST Vatican Approach
The newly launched clubs are also drawing inspiration from the Laudato Si Action Plat Form that inspires: Mission, Action, Spirituality, Training for ecological citizens, and the MAST framework, that encourages us to embrace Mitigation, Adaptation, and Social Transformation, which was promoted at a Vatican-led Africa Conference on Climate Resilience to foster climate resilience in Africa by emphasizing locally-led action, community-based adaptation, societal transformation. The framework prioritizing community participation, and transforming societal through institutional outreach to build resilience against climate change. Together we will encourage students through our Laudato Si clubs to engage in concrete ecological action through the practical agro forestry model at BLI, spiritual reflection through faith programs as exemplified today in the green Mass while using the power of local Languages, Music and Dance to culturally to communicate the message of Laudato Si in the Language both our young people and the community understands through our joint continuous training programs. By adopting this model, these clubs will bring to life the gift an the African Interpretation of Laudato Si (Rooted in Faith and Science, while staying deeply connected to their local communities and ecosystems) which aligns with a global call to action response to the ecological crisis.
A Green Commitment for the Future
Our coming together for this cause is a big shift inspiring action among young people and communities in Uganda. As Laudato Clubs President I am so grateful to Bethany Lands Institute for joining hands with us to inspire more young people to embrace integral ecology knowing that everything is “inter connected” My joy is this step we have taken will empower them and their patrons to change their families, schools, parishes and communities and themselves will become local champions of environmental care. Each club will now begin its Laudato Si’ journey, carrying out projects such as: Agro forestry, Tree planting, Waste management and plastic reduction, Ecological education and peer sensitization, Climate action campaigns within their communities among others. These clubs are not just an outcome; they are the beginning of a strong family that will continue to promote the ecological legacy of Pope Francis in their communities, our country Uganda and beyond, embodying Pope Francis’ vision that:
“Young people demand change. They wonder how anyone can claim to be building a better future without thinking of the environmental crisis and the sufferings of the excluded.” — Laudato Si’ 13
Moving Forward: From Awareness to Unity for Action
For me listening to our two teams both Bethany Lands Institute and Laudato Youth Initiative standing side by side to amplify voices and uniting with young people, educators and religious leaders was a reminder that care for creation begins with awareness but must grow into action. Through partnerships, faith-based education, and the leadership of youth, we are cultivating a new generation of Laudato Si’ leaders. For those who attended the Laudato Si 10 years where is Africa clearly understand one one could mean when I say the seeds have been planted. With faith, knowledge, and commitment, they will grow into a greener, more just future for all.
