Anita Soina-Spice Warriors-Women in Conservation

Author: Anita Soina

Who is Anita Soina?

I am Anita Soina, a 20-year-old passionate environmental Warrior. I am a 3rd-year student at Multimedia University, pursuing a bachelor’s of arts in PR and Corporate Communication.

I’m also an artist Manager at Shirko Media, Brand Ambassador at Lake Basin Dental and Orthodontic Centre, and digital marketer.

I founded Spice Warriors in 2018 after high school. I used to plant trees as a scout in high school.

I was raised at my grandparents’ home. My grandfather had grown many trees way before I was born and took care of them. He was known for his strict character when it came to protecting his small forest from neighbours who fell the trees for firewood.

At that time, I had not discovered my passion.

Categorized as a red chili within the Spice Without Borders mentorship program, we disrupt those in their comfort zone to join the environmental warriors.

Spice Warriors is an organization by myself under the mentorship of Eric Mastsanza, the founder of Spice Without borders, that advocates for sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a bias on environmental matters.

Spice Warriors aims at raising a generation of young community leaders who will advocate for environmental sustainability and come up with solutions that seek to protect the environment.

Location

We are located in Nairobi, but that doesn’t limit us from carrying out different conservation activities in other parts of the country.

We have been doing this for the past two years in places such as Sirua-Aulo academy (Narok County), Arap Moi Primary School Rongai (Kajiado), Nanana Rescue centre Kajiado, Kisumu National polytechnic, and Children’s homes in Nairobi, among others.

We mainly engage in different activities especially tree growing, sensitisation of the public through our socials and cleanup activities.

My target audience is not the people already on this side of conservation, but the larger percentage that doesn’t understand why we are acting for the climate. I try so much to share content with fun using the most straightforward language possible.

“Nothing will stop me from doing my best and giving my passion the best I can!” ~ Anita Soina

This journey is one of the toughest; however, I cannot afford to lose hope or give up. We are in the middle of #ClimateCrisis, and I know my voice no matter how small matters. If I don’t do it, who will?

Influence

I sincerely cannot ignore that I wake up to messages from my followers who tell me how much my actions have influenced them to conserve the environment.

I also receive messages from people interested in the activities I participate in. This has always encouraged me not to give up. Ninety-nine percent of my team comprises people who were not interested before, but they have been motivated through my posts.

We have never been into any environment-related class. It is out of passion.

Challenges

The biggest challenge is convincing my target audience since most young people are not interested in this field.

The other challenge is acquiring resources, but that will never stop me from doing what I love doing.

Every woman in conservation excites me, and I’m proud to be one of them. For a long time, men have always been involved in activities that contribute to positive social change.

However, research shows that women are more likely to be affected by climate change effects. We need to be at the forefront in standing up for #ClimateAction.

My message to everyone out there is the only qualification you need for you to act for the climate is the fact that you live on the planet.

Read more about Women in Conservation here