Young Champ Eritai Kateibwi tells his story!

Eritai Kateibwi, 2017 Young Champion of the Earth for Asia and the Pacific, shares his experiences implementing his modular hydroponics project in the island nation of Kiribati.

March 2018

February 2018

One of my greatest successes was being named a UN Young Champion of the Earth. It was a great experience to have been awarded this title because I know that there are now people from around the world that are actively listening to my story, as well as my country’s . If you have not heard my story, please allow me to share just a little about how this project chose me.

I became interested in Hydroponics, because I strongly felt that it would help introduce a better diet and healthier living for my people. The journey in learning and putting my plan into action has been a huge learning curve. It has been hard, but the idea of being able to introduce a better diet to my people motivates me. One of our biggest problems on Kiribati is that our soil is becoming contaminated with salt water after the effects of rising sea-levels and king tides. Hydroponics, the idea of being able to grow productive crops and vegetables without the need of soil was mind-blowing. I took the idea to heart, I pursued it.

With the help of my mentor Les Harper, Te Maeu was born. A project with the name that means ‘to give hope and life’ to my people and to help sustain them in these latter-days. I love the quote of former US President JFK: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Because I believe that we, Kiribati people, are capable of helping and contributing to the land. There is more in us that we can devote individually to our nation.

After coming up with the Hydroponics Idea- my Kiribati Government saw the importance of it and supported me. This provided me the opportunity to work with the Ministry of Environment. In addition, I was able to reach out to local communities and youth groups, which I am excited to be working together with. I’ve also managed to get in touch with the Kiribati Health Retreat Association and hopefully will work with them as well.

The big moment for my project was winning the UN’s Young Champions of the Earth competition. This enabled many more opportunities. After the award I was featured in local newspapers and articles. My people, especially the youth, now know more about the issues facing our country and are more driven. It amazes me that although the world sees us as the sinking island, my people are still willing to give it their best and do whatever it’ll take to save our land.

All these successes were made possible by the people that believed in this idea and the potential of Hydroponics. These people that are willing to share hope, and give life with the little things they do. Even small acts, like liking and sharing Te Maeu’s video on social platforms. I thank you for that. The best part of sharing hope and giving life is we never stop doing so. It's something that we’ll continue to do because every day we’re making a difference, that in the end can make our nation a better and healthier place.

To be continued...

The Young Champions blogs and vlogs are collated with the support of CoalitionWILD.