Ellyanne Chlystun: Kenya's 14-Year-Old Environmental Prodigy

Ellyanne Wanjiku Chlystun,14, has earned herself the title of Africa's youngest climate finance and health champion.

Her journey began at the age of four, inspired by the legacy of Nobel laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai. Ellyanne's initial efforts to plant a single seed in her backyard have blossomed into a movement that has seen over 1.3 million trees planted across various countries, with a particular focus on restoring mangroves in Kenya's coastal communities. Ellyanne's dedication has garnered significant recognition, including Kenya's Mashujaa Award in 2018, which she shared with marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge, and the distinction of becoming the youngest Rotary Paul Harris Fellow in 2019.

Her influence extends beyond environmental conservation, as evidenced by her appointment as the youngest Global Malaria Ambassador in 2023. In this role, she has travelled to malaria-affected regions in Zimbabwe and Kenya, advocating for improved health solutions at prestigious international forums such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and World Health Organization events. The young activist's passion for public health was further demonstrated when she became the youngest champion appointed by Kenya's Ministry of Environment and Forestry to lead the rehabilitation of Michuki Memorial Park in Nairobi.

This green space proved invaluable to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Ellyanne played a crucial role in its public launch alongside former President Uhuru Kenyatta and other dignitaries. In 2017, Ellyanne founded Children With Nature, a non-profit organization aimed at empowering children to make a positive impact in their communities through environmental education and conservation efforts. Ellyanne's global impact continues to grow. She attended COP28 in Dubai in 2023, where she met King Charles and delivered a speech highlighting the connection between climate change and the rise of malaria.

Her advocacy efforts have reached international audiences through various media appearances, including a collaboration with Grammy award-winning director Meji Alabi and former football star David Beckham on a video for the UK-based charity Malaria No More. She is a published author of three books and currently working on her fourth. Her achievements in environmental conservation and health advocacy have earned her a place on the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance Steering Council, making her its youngest member. Looking to the future, Ellyanne aspires to plant trees along Africa's Green Belt to combat desertification. She has set an ambitious goal of catalyzing the planting of one trillion trees worldwide by the time she turns 18.