“The place was dry, dusty, and lifeless. But I believed we could turn it into a living classroom — a space that breathes hope.” Recho Kibet is a teacher of one of the schools run by JRS in Kakuma. She was declared one of this year’s national heroes of Kenya for her work on environmental issues and she was presented with the award during the Mashuajaa Day Celebrations. 

Her environmental commitment in Kakuma began in 2018, when she arrived at the refugee camp to teach chemistry and biology at Greenlight Secondary School. In 2021, she was appointed deputy headteacher to help establish Blue State Secondary School. What awaited her was a challenge: a bare, sun-baked compound with not a single tree or patch of green.  

Planting hope in the desert 

Determined to make a change, Recho rallied her students and teachers to start a small environmental club. With no external funding, they collected seeds, reused plastic bottles as planters, and began to green the barren soil.  

The first seedlings struggled under the harsh Kakuma sun, but the team persevered. Recho turned every failure into a lesson, linking their hands-on work to science concepts in her classes.“Every plant that survived became a lesson –  in biology, resilience, and faith,” she said.

A school transformed 

Three years later, Blue State Secondary School has blossomed into a lush, green oasis. Trees form shaded walkways, flowers bloom around classrooms, and thriving vegetable gardens now supplement meals for teachers and vulnerable students. Vegetables such as kale, spinach, and amaranth support both nutrition and small sustainability projects run by the students.  

“When we cook vegetables from our own garden, it feels like a victory, we planted this with our own hands,” one student proudly shared.

The transformation at Blue State Secondary School has not only changed the landscape but also inspired remarkable academic improvement. In 2024, the school recorded an impressive mean score in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. Teachers attribute this success in part to the serene environment created through Recho’s greening efforts. The once-barren compound now provides natural study spaces under shade trees, allowing students to hold lively group discussions shielded from the scorching Kakuma sun. The calming greenery has improved concentration, attendance, and overall morale.  

A green legacy that keeps growing 

Behind this transformation lies a deep commitment to sustainability and innovation — the true driving forces behind the school’s success. Recho and her team devised a simple yet ingenious wastewater recycling system, an innovation that ensures not a single drop goes to waste and keeps the greenery thriving even during the driest months. 

To further her mission of environmental stewardship, Recho also partnered with local energy experts to produce eco-friendly briquettes made from agricultural and paper waste. The initiative provides a clean and affordable alternative to charcoal and firewood, directly reducing deforestation and promoting sustainable livelihoods. Today, these briquettes fuel both the school’s kitchens and students’ households.  

“I know this is bigger than one school — it’s a movement for change,” Recho concluded.