REFLECTION OF EXPERIENCE 

🌿 Reflection of Experience

Eric Mutuma – Environmentalist & Greening Consultant

“My journey has not just been about planting trees — it has been about planting purpose, nurturing minds, and transforming institutions into agents of change.”

As I reflect on my journey as a Greening Consultant, I’m reminded that every project, every training, and every conversation has added a layer to my personal and professional growth. From my earliest days helping my mother plant trees in our rural village to advising TVET institutions across the country, this path has been rooted in passion, resilience, and vision.

🌱 Early Seeds of Change

I often look back to my childhood experiences where I first interacted with the environment in a meaningful way. Being raised in a community that depended deeply on the land taught me early on the importance of sustainability, even before I knew the word. These early reflections shaped my environmental consciousness and laid the foundation for the work I do today.

🛠️ Transforming Skills into Impact

My time in TVET training institutions was a defining period. It taught me that practical knowledge, when combined with sustainability values, becomes a powerful tool for change. As I transitioned from student to trainer and later to consultant, I learned to see institutions not just as places of learning, but as ecosystems capable of influencing entire communities.

Each training I conducted, each greening project I oversaw, and each institutional audit I participated in helped me refine not just my technical skills, but also my leadership, communication, and strategic thinking abilities.

🌍 Community, Collaboration, and Courage

The most impactful lessons I’ve learned have come through working with people — students, fellow trainers, government agencies, NGOs, and local communities. Each collaboration reinforced the belief that real change happens when knowledge is shared and dreams are collective.

I’ve also learned that promoting sustainability isn’t always easy. Resistance to change, limited resources, and institutional red tape have tested my patience and resolve. But each challenge strengthened my ability to listen, adapt, and lead with empathy and vision.

🔄 Lessons Learned

Here are some reflections that continue to shape my journey:

• Sustainability is not a trend — it’s a mindset.
  
  

• Youth are not just beneficiaries, they are drivers of green change.
  
  

• Change starts with one bold step — but it grows through consistent action.
  
  

• Every institution has the potential to be green — with the right leadership and commitment.
  🌟 Looking Ahead

The journey continues. I envision a future where every TVET institution in Africa is a model of sustainability — not just teaching green skills but practicing them. I want to expand my consultancy work across borders, influence policy, and support the creation of more green jobs for African youth.

As I continue to grow, I remain committed to being a lifelong learner, a mentor, and a steward of the environment.

🖋️ Final Thoughts

This reflection is not an end, but a pause — a moment to breathe, look back with gratitude, and look forward with purpose. I am proud of the seeds I have planted and even more excited about the forests they will become.