ELLY SAVATIA
KENYA, 19
Project: Innovate 4 SDGs
Basic Human Needs: Education
The traditional education Elly received in Western Kenyan schools did not fully provide him with knowledge for today’s real world. In 2018, Elly participated in the Climate Action Project, a program designed to educate students about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Elly returned to his community motivated to create much needed public awareness of global issues and the SDGs. In February 2019, Elly founded Innovate 4 SDGs to equip African students with the knowledge and mindset of the SDGs. Innovate 4 SDGs educates, advocates, and offers a platform to mobilize young innovators to solve the world’s most pressing social and economic problems. Working with primary and high schools in Kenya and Nigeria, Elly leads discussions, debates and thinking sessions to transform students into changemakers. Elly also partnered with global STEM expert Dr. Ken Silburn to launch STEM education in public schools across Nairobi’s marginalized communities. Innovate 4 SDGs has directly impacted 4,000+ students in Kenya and Nigeria. In 2019, Elly became the youngest fellow to be selected by President Barack Obama’s Young African Leadership Initiative; the youngest representative at the First UN Habitat Assembly; and recognized as Ashoka Africa’s Lead Young Ambassador. Elly hopes to expand Innovate 4 SDGs into more remote areas of Kenya, where most students are unaware of global issues or how to approach social change.