Earlier this month (June 2020), UNICEF Youth Climate Ambassador from Zimbabwe Nkosilathi Nyathi (Nkosi) participated in a meeting of the Group of Friends of Children and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where he delivered these remarks. The Group of Friends of Children and the SDGs is a group of 63 UN Member States that regularly meet to make sure their government’s delivery of the SDGs include children’s rights and voices. Read his powerful speech here: "My name is Nkosilathi Nyathi, a 17 year old Unicef Youth Climate Ambassador in Zimbabwe. You can call me Nkosi. I am a proud...

It is without debate that all that we are and yet to become is largely due to our community’s loving hand over our lives. “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu,” is a famous African quote meaning, “I am because we are.” As one is for all and all are for one, community is the glue that keeps us hand-in-hand all throughout life. Before delving any deeper into the notion of community, let us first define community. From my vantage point, community is a force of love that binds all of humanity together. Community are the trees, the mountains, and the stars when they smile at you. Community are your parents...

Each day millions of young people live to face the harsh climate reality. Has anyone ever imagined the impact of this changing climate in thirty years’ time? What the temperatures will be like? Above all, what the lives of young people cutting across all cultural diversities will be like? What keeps me on the frontline for climate justice is the notion that I don't only represent my nation but my entire generation because climate justice concerns our future. We don’t need torture. We deserve to live happily as well, but to attain that healthy, happy living we will not stop speaking out for...

The crowd is cheering but the loud cheering and singing annoys me these days. Would it be wrong if I said that the cheering and the screams are as good as the buzzing sound of bees? The track has become a part of me, on some days I even meditate or daydream whilst running the 100 meter race. I know that the girls from my class hate me but hard work is the reason I always take the golden trophy home, be it in Drama club, Chess club, athletics team or even in the academic field. I really like Dean a lot but I do not understand why he always makes fun of me. Maybe it is for the best if the two of...

Hi World! I’m Cute. I know what you are thinking but that is actually my name! I am a 16-year-old girl. I live in a small rural community in Zimbabwe. I live with my mom and my little sister. My mom is not formally employed like a lot of people in my community. So, the COVID-19 lockdown meant our stall at the local market place was closed. That meant we had no more money coming in and could only afford two small meals per day. Shortage of clean water is a huge problem in my community. Community wells have dried up and the few boreholes available are simply not enough. As a result, me and my...

Hi world! I’m back! It’s me Cute! A year has gone by since my last post. I am now 17 years old. I still live in the small rural community called Seke in Zimbabwe with my mom and my little sister. So how did the COVID-19 pandemic affect my life and that of my peers in the past 12 months? As I wrote last year, my mom is not formally employed like a lot of people in my community. So, the COVID-19 lockdown meant our stall at the local market place was closed. That meant we had no more money coming in and could only afford two small meals per day. This continued into the second lockdown! We never...

When you look in the mirror, you should see the person you've wanted to be. Not a celebrity or sports star, but the version of you you've been aspiring to be. If you're not there yet which is almost always the case, keep working at it, your race is not over. Your purpose is yet to be fulfilled.