Laudato Voices | Laudato Si Club St. John’s Secondary School, Nandere, Opening Ceremony | March 16, 2026
With the growing efforts by the Laudato Youth Initiative and Bethany Lands Institute Lweero to form ecological citizens in Integral Ecology, Monday 16, 2026, a new Laudato Si Club was opened at St. John’s Secondary School, Nandere – Luweero to mentor young people in in Laudato Si’ call to care for our common home, form them in agroforestry approach to sustainable livelihoods, appreciate the strength of community interdependence, and the resilience embedded in restoring the ecosystems through reforestration, water and proper land management, Climate Agricuture, waste management in school among other. Present at the event were the BLI Team, which handed over the Laudato Youth Initiative and Bethany Lands Institute Emblem to the Club. This marks the official initiation into the Laudato Si Clubs of the Laudato Youth Initiative.
The Laudato Youth Initiative Clubs President, Sarah, said this Club is especially important because it is the first club to be opened a week after the Laudato Youth Initiative and Bethany Lands Institute mentors meetings in Rome for the Laudato Si Global Alliance, which aims to strengthen institutions’ involvement in bringing to life the value of integral ecology.
Mr. Muhimbise Potez, the Head teacher of St. John’s Secondary School, Nandere, encouraged students to realize their potential during the Laudato Si Club opening Ceremony. “ Each one of you has a unique potential; use it to make a difference in your environment and your future,” he said, “Do not wait for change to come; be the change your community needs.”….“Your actions today, no matter how small, will shape the world of tomorrow.”
Young people are key agents of change in our communities. Guided by integral ecology, the Laudato Si’ Club at St. John’s brings new hope for ecological action, transformation, and community engagement in promoting sustainability and responsibility toward people and the planet.
Present at the event were: Nakalembe Ruth, the Outreach Officer; Calvin Rukundo, Tourism Officer; and Arimpa Victor – Ass. Communications and Publicity, Sandra Kaitesi – Sales Personnel Isa Kisumbi, Lubega Geoffrey, and Tracy Babirye – staff members in the outreach program at BLI who motivated the students and encouraged them to cooperate with the school, Laudato Youth Initiative, and Bethany Lands Institute in their journey with them towards greater ecological hope and sustainable living that will inspire other schools around to learn from their model.
This impactful initiative was made possible through the outreach program of Bethany Land Institute, in collaboration with the Laudato Youth Initiative, both of which highlight a shared commitment to nurturing environmentally conscious young leaders.
Inspired by Laudato Si’, the club empowers students to actively care for our common home through practical actions like tree planting, environmental awareness, and sustainable living practices.
To officially mark this special day, a tree-planting exercise was held symbolizing growth, responsibility, and a lasting commitment to environmental conservation. The event was welcomed with students’ enthusiasm and the administration’s commitment, signaling the rise of a generation ready to protect and restore the environment, United for Climate Action.
