Roots of Hope: How Gombe’s Youth Breathed Green into a Dry Land
by Goodness Samuel Iffu from Start The Future Initiative
About
My name is Goodness Samuel Iffu, a young environmental advocate and creative from Gombe State, Nigeria. I lead community projects under Start the Future Initiative, a youth-led organization using education, creativity, and action to build healthier and more sustainable communities. My journey into climate work began from witnessing how rising heat and poor waste management affect everyday people—especially market women and students.
Through initiatives like Eco Green Gombe, we’ve worked with local youths to plant trees in neglected spaces, simplify climate issues for emerging advocates, and clean our communities with a sense of shared responsibility. For me, this work isn’t just about saving the planet—it’s about restoring dignity, hope, and connection between people and nature. I believe small, consistent actions can transform how we live and how we care for our common home.