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Two years ago, I arrived in Zomba, Malawi, and my goal was simple: to understand challenges communities were facing and to see how art could help improve lives. The first summer I spent in Malawi, I launched Art4NthakaYathu, which means art for our land in the local language chichewa. It is a climate justice project where art and public health intersect. I spent my days talking with youth climate champions, village chiefs and community leaders, learning how climate change was affecting food, water, health and culture. Together with my mentor, Rodger, and the ArtGlo team, we guided 15 youth to design projects that address these challenges. After I departed that summer, youth continued to lead. They planted over 1,250 native trees, improving soil, water and community spaces. The next summer, I returned with a bigger goal: to expand Art4NthakaYathu. We brought in students from three
local schools across the district and paired them with our original youth climate champions as mentors. Despite shifts in funding, support from Cornell Human Ecology and a GoFundMe campaign I created helped us keep the program running. Students designed creative, actionable climate projects, presented them to village leaders and even received seed funding to make their ideas real. Through role plays, murals and creative exercises, students explored climate change, health and local solutions in ways that felt hands-on and meaningful. It reminded me that even across continents,
creativity, connection and care can spark real change.