Annually, the archdiocese of Nairobi organizes various activities that bring together Young Catholic Students from different institutions in the archdiocese. On the 3rd of June 2023, catholic institutions came together to commemorate the long awaited environmental at Kiambu Institution of Science and Technology. The theme of the event was to ensure students understand the relation between religion, science and nature whilst they take part in environmental cleaning activities.

On the 3rd of June 2023. We met at school at 7.30 am and left for KIST. Upon arrival we did our registration from 8am as also students from other institutions streamed in. The event kicked off t o a bright start with prayer and sharing of the word facilitated by Sister Sifa, this set the mood right to handle the next part of the program. After issuing the opening remarks, the coordinator of the day asked us to intermingle with students from other institutions and later divided into 6 groups. The first group was charged with responsibility of clearing thickets and slashing down the grass as other groups participated in cleaning of classrooms, collecting litter around the institution and disposing the waste appropriately.

We then took part in group discussions that shed light on environmental awareness and handling facilitated by archdiocesan leaders. These discussions helped us a lot understand how to take good care of our environment and the repercussions of environmental pollution.

Later the participants took a tea break provided for by the hosts. After refreshing followed mass preparations .Liturgical dancers prepared programmatically with their fascinating moves as we joined students from other institutions singing in the choir with heavenly voices. The mass was undoubtedly the best commemorated with exquisite singing coupled up with ground shaking dances making the liturgy lively. The mass was celebrated by Rev Fr.Francis Kiarie who is also in charge of education in the archdiocese.

The final session of the day was tree planting by the different zones present not forgetting Fr.Kiarie planted the first tree that day in the institution? In a nutshell, the events of the day were eye opening and educative as we learnt how to take good of the environment as God had commanded our fore father to do so. The event ended at 5.30pm as we departed back home.
Acknowledgements
As a committee, we are thankful to everyone who were physically present during the environmental day and those who helped us make the day a success, our chaplain Rev Fr Prof Ndikaru who has been always encouraging us on such activities
By Gloria Mutiku

At Kiambu Institute of Science and Technology