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The Roots of Change: How St. Andrew's Turi Planted the Seeds for Play Green's Future

By Play Green/30 April 2025/5 min read/Tree planting
The Roots of Change: How St. Andrew's Turi Planted the Seeds for Play Green's Future

Every great movement starts with a single step, or in the case of Play Green, with the planting of a single tree. For Kevin Wekesa and the entire Play Green initiative, that pivotal first step was taken at the picturesque St. Andrew's School, Turi. This wasn't just a tree-planting exercise; it was the birthplace of a powerful partnership, a living laboratory, and a blueprint for a sustainable future for sports.



Where the Vision Took Root

The story begins during a national team training camp. As a Kenya 7s player, Kevin Wekesa was acutely aware of the carbon footprint associated with constant travel. It was during this time at St. Andrew's Turi that a conversation sparked with the school's staff about how the rugby team could contribute to environmental conservation. The school, known for its vast, green campus and existing commitment to environmental stewardship as a Round Square School, welcomed the idea with open arms.

This collaboration led to the establishment of what we proudly call the 'Shujaa Forest'. It began with the Kenya Sevens team, joined by the enthusiastic pupils and dedicated staff of St. Andrew's Turi, planting the initial trees. This collective effort immediately forged a bond between elite athletes, young learners, and the land they were helping to heal.