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My Day of Green Transformation in Mauritius

My Day of Green Transformation in Mauritius

Inspiring a Green Revolution in Mauritius

I was the only one on the high table dressed in casual attire. The two other gentlemen sitting on my left and right were both in official shirts, tucked in properly. I imagined that when their eyes had flicked open earlier that morning, they had dashed to the bathroom for a quick shower, then dressed knowing that they would soon be attending a very important event – the official opening of the Africa Environment Outlook (AEO) for Youth Sub-Regional Meeting for the Western Indian Ocean Islands. They also knew that the meeting would be graced by David Bwakali, the Africa Environment Outlook for Youth Regional Officer from the UNEP global headquarters in Nairobi.

Meanwhile, I, the aforementioned UNEP staff, was also getting ready. But unlike them, my dress code was guided by the sunny Mauritius weather and the relaxed vibe that was coursing through my veins. When I slipped into the green summer shirt and black linen trousers, it didn’t occur to me that maybe I was dressing too casually for a serious event where I was the Chief guest.

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Blue Bay in Mauritius

My Epic Journey to Mauritius

Even when I arrived at the event and was ushered to the high table, I was still too excited to notice this discordant dress code. You see, it was my first time in Mauritius and ever since I knew about this trip in the final months of the previous year, I was too excited to sit still  - and dress officially. For me, there has always been a very thin line between work and pleasure. As I waited to the two speeches preceding my keynote address, I found myself reflecting on the turn of events that had resulted in my presence at this meeting.

My journey to Mauritius had begun the previous day at Seychelles International Airport.

When I handed in my passport to the Air Mauritius lady at the airport, there was only one goal on my mind - to ensure that I would share a seat with Fabrina, my new friend from Seychelles. Luck had ensured that we were on the same flight so now it was up to me to ensure that we would share adjacent seats. That’s exactly what happened. For nearly three hours, I engaged Fabrina in conversation about Seychelles, her paradise of a country. She had been gracious to host me at their home for a day and it already felt like I had known her for a long time. I promised to host her too one day if she ever came to Kenya. I am happy to host you for a lifetime, I had said in a low tone that left her face red in blushes.

Mauritius is a melting pot of different cultures

This island country proves that different cultures can co-exist peacefully

Youth can change the world

When we landed at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, at Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, my eyes were darting everywhere like an excited rabbit. Finally, I had landed in Mauritius for the first time ever in my life. Because you never forget your first time, I remember my first landing in Mauritius as if it was yesterday. Because of Mauritius’s fame as a beach destination, I had been half expecting that serene white beaches and palm trees would be visible at the airport. But all I saw were immigration officials with the kind of glum faces that all immigration officials seem to wear irrespective of the country. I did notice that many of them were Indians, which left me wondering why there were so many Indians yet we were in Mauritius. That was before I knew that one out of three Mauritians is of Indian origin.

Sarjoo, the Western Indian Oceans Sub-Region Officer of our project was waiting for us when we stepped out of the airport’s immigration area. He was short and slender, with a calm visage and an earnest presence. We drove with him for fifty kilometers to the Young Farmers Training Center in Belle Mare. Also staying there were the youth environment leaders who were attending the UNEP Africa Environment Outlook for Youth Western Indian Ocean Islands sub-regional meeting. They included Sébastien Martial from Reunion Islands and several other leaders from Comoros Islands and Madagascar. It felt strange that I was the only non-Islander in attendance.

For three days, I joined my fellow youth in exploring the Western Indian Ocean Islands environmental challenges and opportunities. I marveled about the way they talked about the ocean with such passion, as if those salty waters of the Indian Ocean were life-long friends. Five days later, on April 23rd, I left Mauritius for Jo’burg. Sadly, Fabrina wasn’t seated next to me this time. She was on a different flight. But we were on the same team of young people who were deeply invested in Africa’s environment. 

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