The work of Stewards of Eden
Stewards of Eden is a forward-thinking climate and environmental NGO dedicated to addressing the multifaceted challenges of our time. Our work encompasses climate change awareness, sustainable health and planning, the promotion of a circular green economy, food security, water security, and the advancement of gender equity and equality.
Through innovative programs and community-driven solutions, we aim to create resilient systems that support both people and the planet. By fostering awareness, building capacity, and promoting inclusive practices, we strive to empower communities to thrive in harmony with their environment.
Our Actions and Approach
Our actions take various forms with the goal of systemic change. Our approach is intergenerational, ensuring sustainability and inclusivity across generations.
Food Security: According to the FAO, one in every four people in Sub-Saharan Africa faces hunger. At Stewards of Eden, we recognize the critical importance of food security as a pillar of resilience and climate adaptation. Our initiatives focus on projects that operate at the intersection of climate change and a green circular economy, with an emphasis on empowering women-led households in underprivileged communities.
By prioritizing sustainable agricultural practices, enhancing local food production, and supporting innovative solutions, we aim to reduce hunger, improve nutrition, and build adaptive capacities. These efforts not only address immediate needs but also pave the way for long-term food security and community well-being.
Health: Climate change, driven by human activities that harm the environment, significantly impacts public health, especially the well-being of children, including those yet to be born. At Stewards of Eden, we emphasize the importance of promoting environmental stewardship to mitigate these effects.
As part of our health-focused initiatives, we advocate for sustainable family planning by raising awareness about the benefits of smaller family sizes. This approach not only reduces pressure on natural resources but also improves maternal and child health outcomes. By fostering informed choices, we aim to create healthier families while addressing the broader challenges posed by climate change.
Gender Equality and Equity: Historically, women and girls have faced significant challenges due to patriarchal cultural traditions that limited their opportunities and silenced their voices. However, through persistent human rights campaigns and justice movements, significant progress has been made in dismantling these barriers. At Stewards of Eden, we go a step further by rebuilding these systems from an equity-centered perspective, ensuring fair opportunities and resources for women and girls.
Our flagship program, Climate Jobs for Family, is a women- and girls-led green jobs initiative that equips participants with the skills and resources to launch and manage their own startups. These startups focus on sustainable practices while championing land restoration projects, including planting fruit trees and bamboo to combat deforestation and promote ecosystem recovery.
Our first key partner in this transformative initiative is Our Kids Climate, a UK-based program supported by the Social Change Nest. Together, we are empowering women and girls to become environmental stewards and economic leaders in their communities, fostering resilience and sustainability for future generations.
The Right to a Home Program:
One rainy evening in Muhanga City, after completing our voluntary community work, a colleague and I were heading home. It was 10 p.m. Rwandan time (8 p.m. UTC), and the streets were quiet except for the sound of rainwater trickling through narrow passageways. As we walked, our attention was drawn to a heart-wrenching scene: a five-year-old child, accompanied by a slightly older one—perhaps seven—shivering in the cold. They clutched a folded cardboard box, desperately searching for a dry corridor among the crowded homesteads to spend the night.
In that moment, a thought struck us deeply. If environmental stewardship means caring for everything and everyone, then having a home—a safe and secure place to belong—must be a fundamental right for all. A home should be more than shelter; it should be a sanctuary where children are nurtured, educated, fed, clothed, and provided with medical care. A home should be a place of hope, offering opportunities that were once considered unattainable luxuries.
The Right to a Home Program was born from this realization. Through this initiative, we aim to provide housing and holistic support for vulnerable children and families, addressing not just their immediate needs but also paving the way for sustainable futures. We believe that every child deserves the dignity of a safe space to dream, grow, and thrive.
Bio-Curricular:
The concept of "Bio-Curricular" embodies an innovative approach to education, where knowledge about climate change and environmental conservation is seamlessly integrated into the curriculum and daily experiences. By using local languages and cultural contexts, we ensure that these critical topics are accessible to everyone, regardless of their educational background or literacy level.
At Stewards of Eden, we believe that addressing the climate crisis requires more than awareness; it demands action rooted in understanding and relevance. Bio-Curricular bridges the gap between knowledge and action by incorporating environmental education into schools, communities, and media. From teaching children about sustainable practices to empowering communities with indigenous knowledge for conservation, the Bio-Curricular approach creates a foundation for a green future.
Water and Climate Change:
Water is one of the most vital resources, yet it is increasingly threatened by the impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and prolonged droughts exacerbate water scarcity and compromise access to clean water for millions of people. At Stewards of Eden, we address water security as a critical component of climate adaptation and resilience.
Our initiatives focus on conserving water resources through sustainable watershed management, rainwater harvesting systems, and reforestation projects that protect water catchment areas. By working closely with local communities, we ensure equitable access to clean water while empowering them with the knowledge and tools to safeguard this precious resource. Water security is not only essential for survival but also foundational to health, agriculture, and economic development in a changing climate.