[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL's Environmental Cleaning Activity in Kenya

Chairman ManHee Lee is the head representative of the global peace organization HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), which is striving for the enactment and implementation of the international peace law 'Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)'. The  DPCW is a legal instrument comprised of 10 articles and 38 clauses that can end wars and hostilities throughout the world. HWPL is also spreading a culture of peace and implementing peace education.

Chairman ManHee Lee experienced the cruelty and tragedy of war as a veteran of the Korean War. This is one of the reasons why he founded a global peace campaign as the head of HWPL. He has traveled the globe more than 35 times to meet and persuade politicians, legal experts, journalists, professors, peace activists, civil organization leaders, heads of tribes and others to unite them for the work of peace. The significant fruits borne out of his hard work are the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit and HWPL Peace Committee. The DPCW was drafted and finalised by the HWPL Peace Committee.

How, you may wonder, do I know this? About 10 years ago, when I had just been discharged from military service, I came to know HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee while researching the topic of civil conflicts to satisfy my curiosity in ongoing global issues. At that time, the island of Mindanao in the Philippines was suffering from a major civil conflict that lasted more than 40 years, and Chairman ManHee Lee and HWPL resolved this conflict through non-violent means.

Chairman Lee brought an end to the conflict in Mindanao by holding a peace talk between the warring Catholic and Islamic groups. Before the talk, HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee held a Peace Walk to spread the culture of peace in Mindanao with the many locals who had gathered out of a desire for peace.

Chairman ManHee Lee's pressing appeal today is that humanity unites for sustainable peace in order to pass on the legacy of peace to future generations worldwide. He doesn't just talk peace, but has worked tirelessly for it through practical peace campaigns for over a decade.

I decided to become a supporter of HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee's peace initiatives because I also desire a world of peace for all posterity.

Today I'd like to introduce an article regarding HWPL's environmental cleaning activity in Kenya :)

“Love your City, Clean your River”

: 100 Kenyan Youth Take Action for Peace Through Environmental Efforts by Cleaning the Nairobi River

On February 21 in Nairobi, Kenya, the HWPL Kenya branch and the Nairobi City County Government jointly held an environmental campaign titled “Cleaning for Peace: Love your City, Clean your River.” Around 100 youth volunteers participated, putting into practice the values of environmental protection and peace by cleaning heavily polluted areas along the Nairobi River.

On this day, the youth wore gloves and boots and carried out river clean-up activities by collecting plastics and other waste discarded around the river. The Nairobi River, which has long suffered from urban waste and industrial pollution, is now seeing renewed attention through this activity, with growing interest and participation from the local community.

Sharon Kibet, a member of the HWPL Kenya branch who helped organize the event, stated, “This activity goes beyond simply cleaning the river; it represents reclaiming our responsibility. A clean environment is the foundation for protecting the pride and health of our community, and such actions are the starting point for building sustainable peace.”

Participants also emphasized that the environmental actions of the youth can bring positive change to the community. Hilda Njeri Nakupuna, an environmental officer at Nairobi City County, said, “I am very pleased to see young people taking the lead in acting for peace and environmental protection. We are working together to keep the Nairobi River clean. Pollution worsens flooding and climate change issues, so the younger generation must be part of the solution.”

In addition, Anthony Gatonga, Program Officer of Youth Initiative Kenya(YIKE), stated, “We must first create peace within ourselves, and I believe that peace will eventually spread throughout the world. We no longer want to see this river, the lifeline of our city, being treated like a dumping site. This river is part of our lives. By keeping it clean, we are sending a message that we demand a better environment for our own health and for future generations.”

This activity was carried out based on the spirit of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), a peace principle proposed by HWPL. It was also conducted as part of IPYG’s Youth Empowerment Peace Workshop (YEPW) program, serving as a platform for young adults to directly participate in solving community issues. The event was introduced nationwide in Kenya through the national broadcaster KBC and private broadcasters such as KTN.

This Nairobi River clean-up activity is scheduled to continue on a monthly basis. Through youth-led environmental volunteer work, the initiative is expected to expand community participation and continue the practice of peace, while contributing to the realization of the values of Articles 8, 9, and 10 of the DPCW and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

HWPL Official Homepage

https://www.hwpl.kr/language/en/home-hwpl-_en/