Grassroots Democracy and Climate Action in Africa

Community organizing that began in rural Mumeya, Rwanda, has spread across Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Ghana. Grassroots leaders in Rwanda are now working as organizers in 21 communities, teaching and coaching teams in new villages and leading an effort that planted 45,000 new trees to protect their communities and environment. The FAITH in Ghana Alliance is now working with thirty multi-faith teams in ten districts where leaders are beginning to negotiate with regional local government officials to bring water, sanitation, education and health facilities to their communities. In Western Tanzania, Lutheran and Episcopal clergy and lay leaders are building leadership teams in 14 communities in Muleba and Ngara districts that have been neglected by the central government. In Kenya, MENTOR is in the early stages of supporting grassroots community organizing around issues of access to clean water, electricity, health care and education in ten Maasai villages in Kagiado County. With coaching from Rwandan organizers, Pastor Colin Gertze began a pilot organizing process in the community of Burger’s Hoek, Namibia, home to 2,000 families and limited public services. Support grassroots organizing in Africa.