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"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children."

~Maasai Proverb

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Kids often offer the most honest perspectives on the environment and conservation. What better way for them to learn about climate impacts than by connecting, sharing, and asking questions with peers around the globe? Personal connections with those experiencing challenges firsthand make our efforts to make a difference more meaningful and impactful.

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After working on "Green Belt" expansion programs—tree planting initiatives designed to encourage water harvesting in drought-impacted areas, we developed a deep relationship with the Maasai people in Africa. Through their stories, we learned about the profound effects of changing climate conditions on their communities. We were also struck by their "Tire Shoes" recycled from old tires.

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The "Sole Mates" project was born from this experience, with the goal of pairing schools from different parts of the world with distinctive cultures. These partnerships offer students opportunities to learn about each other, understand how climate impacts their regions, and collaborate on fundraising efforts to support conservation projects in both communities.

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The first pilot of the "Soul Mates" Student Exchange took place in 2021 between the Lettari Community in Kenya and the Old Fort Elementary School in North Carolina, USA. Through shared experiences on climate change and joint fundraising events, the project achieved remarkable results by the end of 2023 including:

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• Over 5,500 trees were planted, and water capture systems were installed at 14 schools in Kenya.

• Community gardens were established at Old Fort Elementary School to teach students about growing their own food.

• Essential items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and sports equipment were delivered to children in Kenya.

• A community expo was held to celebrate Kenyan and North Carolinian culture, culminating in the first Sole Mates Walk-A-Thon, involving over 500 U.S. and 1,200 Kenyan students and their families. Some U.S. participants even wore Maasai Tire Shoes made from old bike tires.

 

The success of this pilot inspired us to expand the program to new communities.

 

However, in 2024, tragedy struck both regions due to extreme weather events:

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• In April 2024, flooding devastated the Lettari Community in Kenya, destroying the schools we partnered with. (News article).

• In November 2024, torrential rain from Hurricane Helene severely damaged parts of the Old Fort Elementary School. (Video showing damage to the area).

 

Not long before each of these tragedies, we had presented in both communities about the growing risks of extreme weather. Tragically, both communities experienced profound losses of life and infrastructure for health, education, and livelihoods.

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We are grieving alongside our friends and families in both regions and continue to support their efforts to rebuild. These tragedies have only strengthened the resolve of the Soul Mates Project, and we are more determined than ever to continue its mission.

 

If you’d like to learn more about this project and explore how you and local schools in your area can participate, please contact us.

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