A NEW COMMUNITY MURAL addressing environmental sustainability, climate change, and conservation has been created by seven Rwandan artists working with Kurema Kureba Kwiga. The artwork, located at the Kimihurura Primary School, features imagery of ecosystem-based adaptations of specific measures individuals can practice within their own lives to positively contribute to sustainable living. The mural project that uses the hashtag #hariicyonakora - which is loosely translated as “there is something I can do” was painted in an art event organied by KKurema Kureba Kwiga that took place on Friday, November 26. “The main objective of this mural painting is to raise the awareness of the behavior changes that we can all make to help improve the climate crisis and how we treat our planet,” said Judith Kaine the founder and director of Kurema Kureba Kwiga in a press release. The content of the mural’s design was developed through a series of informative discussions with environmental activists, under key messages and behavior change concepts such as caring for the planet, eco-systems, and preventing climate change, composting and recycling, kitchen gardens and dietary diversity, fighting air pollution, protection of animals and preventing species extinction, planting trees and celebrating the importance of indigenous plants and preventing deforestation to keep water-ways clean and ecosystems thriving among others. The project was created and painted in partnership by different visual artists including Jemima Kakizi, Jim Rolland, Isaac Iirumva, Louise Kanyange, Diane Uwimana, Moise Niyogakiza, and Abdoul Rwigema. According to Kaine, the youth environmental-activists consulted in the development of the messaging and artwork, include Allan Muhizi, a Gorilla Guardian, Faida Zubeida from Save the Environment Initiative, Amie Jobe, a student doing Wildlife Conservation at African Leadership University (ALU), and Christian Mugabe who works for Ngozi Naturals. “Together, the visual artists and activists conducted a training of trainer’s style edutainment session with 20 students of the school, who will help cascade information on the artwork’s meaning and significance to other students at Kimihurura Primary. The artwork that was formally unveiled together in conjunction with a tree-planting activity at the school on Friday,’’ she says. The project’s activities will also help spur continued growth for the emerging street-art scene in Rwanda while pushing for greater climate consciousness and positive behavior changes amongst Rwandan youth. This mural project was led by Kurema Kureba Kwiga, a Rwandese social enterprise focused on using street arts and art actions to engage civil society in creating positive social change. The mural project was also made in partnership and support of different institutions such as The Goethe Institute of Kigali, Ngozi Naturals, Handmade Soaps, and Kansai Plascon paint company.
