Shalluwah Nakuya, Ingrid Akampa, Anlove Erica Kakama

Shalluwah Nakuya (12), Ingrid Akampa (13), Anlove Erica Kakama (14), are a group of children from Uganda. The group from the Batwa community in Bwindi are turning their own experiences of marginalization into a force for change. Growing up in a conservation area, they’ve seen firsthand how limited access to education, protection, and basic services can hold children and families back—and it sparked a deep commitment to children’s rights, safety, and a healthy environment.

With support from the Bwindi Batwa Culture Rocks and Cave Association and partners like Africa Conservation Program, Global Green STEMs, and Gorilla Habitat, these children have found mentorship and space to lead. Their work includes raising community awareness about education and equal opportunities, planting trees and restoring forests, and running plastic waste reduction campaigns to keep their environment safe and healthy. They also encourage their peers to stay in school through peer-to-peer learning sessions.

Their impact is rooted in community, not screens. Through direct participation in local meetings, school sessions, and conservation projects, these children are reaching and inspiring peers, families, and neighbors—proving that real change often starts close to home, with encouragement from parents and community leaders who value education and cultural heritage.