Campaigning for world leaders to act on climate change since she was 15 years old.
Growing up, Jakomba Jabbie loved science and technology, dreaming of becoming an aerospace engineer. But in her country of Gambia, teachers and families don’t approve of girls studying science and mathematics. Jakomba’s teachers told her she couldn’t possibly become an aerospace engineer. Why? Because she is a girl.
Meanwhile, Jakomba was afraid to tell her family about her dreams because she wasn’t sure what they would think. Jakomba wanted to change this, not only for herself but for all the future female scientists. When she was 16, Jakomba set up a robotics club at her school. The aim was to show girls they can participate in science and technology. Having Jakomba as the head of the club served as a role model for other girls to step out of their comfort zones and believe in themselves because girls CAN do science.
A few years later, Jakomba was invited to speak at the UN Women event, ‘Equality in Law for Women and Girls by 2030.’ She explained how important the role of teachers is in inspiring and supporting girls to believe they can do anything they want. Jakomba stood up and told world leaders that ‘Girls need to be told they can be anything they want to be.’
Campaigning for access to clean water for Canada’s indigenous communities since she was 8 years old.
Raising awareness of the effects of the Syrian civil war and calling for peace since she was 6 years old.
Challenging the representation of girls and women in society since she was 11 years old.
Running a marathon in 10 days to raise money for homeless people when he was 7 years old.
Fundraising for the farmers whose incomes have been affected by drought in Australia since he was 11 years old.
Creating and growing a bank that helps children save money by recycling since he was 12 years old.
Designing technology to supply electricity and water without emitting greenhouse gases since he was 15 years old.
Campaigning for the banning of plastic bags in Bali since they were 10 and 12 years old.
Designing a solar powered ironing cart to reduce charcoal burning in India since she was 12 years old.
Petitioning for schools to give children reusable water bottles since he was 7 years old.
Campaigning for people and businesses to stop using single-use plastics since they were 10 and 12 years old.
Set up organisations supporting cancer patients, people in poverty, and promoting golf in young black girls, since she was 10 years old.
Saving the lives of hundreds of hedgehogs in the UK since they were 9 years old.
Campaigning to promote proper battery disposal and recycling since he was 10 years old.
Campaigning for people and businesses to stop using single-use plastics since they were 10 and 12 years old.
The world’s youngest sustainability advocate – working to make the world a better place since she was 3 years old.
Solving the problem of water contamination using science and technology since she was 11 years old.
