The role of youth in our communities cannot be underestimated, and the impact they are making is profound. From politics to technology, innovation and to addressing socio-economic challenges, young people are driving change, challenging norms, and shaping the future. Their energy, creativity, and determination position them as powerful agents of transformation across sectors.
But are we harnessing this potential to drive sustainable sanitation solutions within the sanitation sector? How are we actively engaging the youth in sanitation as innovators, advocates, and leaders, equipping them with the right tools, knowledge, and platforms?
Sparking interest and awareness is a good starting point
From classrooms filled with bright and eager faces of kids asking questions about their future, to local youth centers where teens brainstorm solutions to community problems – these are the spaces where ideas take root and where the next generation of changemakers is stepping up to tackle global challenges.
Young people bring a sense of possibility that’s unmatched. They’re not just inheriting the world, they’re actively shaping it. And when it comes to sanitation, a field that’s about health, dignity, and opportunity, the youth’s involvement is definitely crucial.
But how do we get young people to care about something like sanitation? By making it real, relevant and urgent.
A group of high school or university students touring Fresh Life today aren’t just learning about sanitation access and waste management. They’re discovering how innovation can solve global challenges and how waste can be transformed into valuable by-products. Suddenly, sanitation isn’t just a problem, it’s an opportunity: a career path, a business model, a gateway to endless possibilities, and a chance to drive meaningful change.
Real stories, real action
Sparking awareness among youth also means showcasing how their peers are already stepping up in impactful ways. Across Kenya, county-level initiatives are driving youth engagement in sanitation. For example, the Turkana Youth WASH Parliament is amplifying advocacy for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), while Makueni County has allocated funds for youth-led initiatives in its 2025/2026 Financial Year Budget.
These efforts are further bolstered by the National Sanitation Management Policy (NSMP) 2030, which underscores youth inclusion in sanitation innovation and advocacy, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 6.2. Programs like the K-WASH initiative, spanning 19 counties, offer platforms for young people to lead community-based sanitation projects. This interconnected web of initiatives highlights the transformative potential of youth as changemakers in sanitation.
Inspiring careers in sustainability and public health
One exciting outcome of engaging youth in sanitation is the range of career paths it unlocks. From engineers designing toilets for informal settlements, to climate experts working on carbon credits and circular economy, to social entrepreneurs building sanitation businesses in their communities, there’s a world of opportunity waiting.
Meet Lydia – a university student who joined a Fresh Life internship program. She started out conducting community surveys, and ended up leading an outreach campaign to educate her peers on proper waste disposal. Having experienced firsthand how sanitation affects community health, Lydia found her purpose. Today, she’s studying public health, driven by a vision to create healthier cities through better sanitation.
Internships and fellowships have given local and international youth opportunities to contribute to critical projects, including sanitation assessments and retention strategies. These programs are seeding a pipeline of talent for the future. Whether through mentorship, scholarships or partnerships with educational institutions, the goal is to show young people that sanitation is a field where they can thrive and innovate while making a difference.
Fresh Life: Driving youth leadership in sanitation
At Fresh Life, youth play an integral role in operations, innovation, and leadership development. Many of our office and field staff, such as growth and retention agents, fundraising and QHSE specialists, policy advocates, collectors, manufacturers and the list goes on and on, are young people actively driving access to safe sanitation in informal settlements.
Youth-led innovation pilots in Fresh Life have delivered solutions like improved toilet designs and digital tracking tools. Growth opportunities have seen young field agents advance into leadership roles, such as supervisors, data specialists, operational leads in new cities such as Kisumu and Eldoret amongst others.
Our future depends on unlocking the potential of young minds ready to lead. When we create the right spaces, we equip a generation to tackle today’s challenges with fresh ideas and bold solutions. It’s an investment in healthier communities, sustainable progress, and lasting impact. Let’s tap into the passion and drive of youth, not just to imagine change, but to make it happen.
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