Game On for Climate Action: YMCA’s Climate Games in Naivasha

The Africa Alliance of YMCAs (AAYMCA) continues to harness the power of games to drive climate action and youth engagement. On Saturday, February 22nd, 2025, an exciting climate game testing session took place at Kenya YMCA’s Naivasha branch, bringing together 30 young people from Kabati for a hands-on experience in climate education through gaming.

Innovative Games for Climate Awareness

Led by three climate game designers and a researcher, the session introduced participants to two innovative climate-focused games:

♟️ Climate Chess – A creative twist on traditional chess, developed by Allan Karatu, where players strategize their moves while learning about climate change challenges.

The Simulation Game – Designed by Jason Wanyonyi, this game-show-inspired experience allows teams to advance based on their climate knowledge, fostering learning through competition and collaboration.

The session was closely monitored by Khasandra Nyambu (Mombasa YMCA) and Teresia Kaberiah (AAYMCA Research Assistant) to evaluate game usability, player motivation, and overall engagement.

Why Kabati?

Kabati, a low-income neighborhood in Naivasha, faces significant socio-economic challenges, including drug abuse, crime, gender-based violence, and teenage pregnancies. The impacts of climate change—extreme flooding and prolonged droughts—have worsened these conditions, making it even more difficult for young people to thrive.

This is where YMCA steps in!  Through interactive and educational games, the initiative aims to build youth resilience against climate change while fostering community-driven solutions.

Scaling Up for Impact

The Climate Games initiative is set to reach 1,250 young people in Kabati, equipping them with knowledge and strategies to combat climate change through fun, engaging, and educational tools. This testing session was a crucial step in refining the games, ensuring they are effective in inspiring climate action.

🎯 What’s Next?
With promising results from this session, YMCA is moving forward with further game development, community engagement, and expansion efforts. The power of games in climate education is undeniable, and this initiative is just getting started!

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this happen! Games are powerful, and so is community-driven climate action. Let’s keep innovating! 🎮🔥

WATCH THE GAMES IN ACTION ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/i329IToxLZU?si=NNt-b2bbtyV5th3v

Stay tuned for more updates on the Climate Games initiative!