Evergreen Project: Mindfulness and Nature Connection for Youth

About Evergreen

Evergreen is a mindfulness and nature connection program for youth in East Africa, fostering emotional resilience and well-being through nature-inspired teachings. Developed in partnership with Good Natured Group and implemented through Roots & Shoots Rwanda, the program has been active since 2024.

"Planting seeds of peace in young hearts"

What Evergreen Teaches

Evergreen integrates five core practices that help students develop emotional intelligence and a deep connection with nature:

Emotional Awareness

Students learn to identify, express, and regulate their emotions in a safe and supportive environment building self-awareness that supports both academic and personal growth.

Compassion and Empathy

Activities that inspire kindness, empathy, and meaningful relationships with others nurturing young people who care deeply for those around them.

Community and Teamwork

Collaborative group experiences that strengthen unity, leadership, and social confidence preparing youth to work together toward shared goals.

Nature Connection

Outdoor learning that fosters care for the environment and a sense of belonging in nature connecting students to the ecosystems they are growing up in.

Creativity and Imagination

Playful learning that supports curiosity, self-expression, and innovative thinking empowering students to see themselves as creative problem-solvers.

Program Outcomes

Based on pre- and post-program assessments with 146 students across 3 pilot schools in Rwanda:

Outcome	Result
Increased comfort discussing emotions	93–100%
Improved relationships with peers and club leaders	94–97%
Stronger connection with nature	83–98%
Inspired new understanding about animals	100%

How Our Journey Started

From a simple idea rooted in student well-being, Evergreen grew through research, collaboration, and a deep belief in young people. The program was conceived in 2023 with initial research and partnership development before launching the pilot with 3 schools and 146 students in 2024.

"Participating in these sessions helped me understand myself better and build stronger friendships." M.M.O, Student

Our 2026 Vision

With your support, we are expanding to 10 new schools in 2026, covering 5 regions across Rwanda and reaching 500+ additional students. This growth means training more facilitators, creating additional program materials, and reaching hundreds more young people who need these essential life skills.

Learn more about the Evergreen program here.

Partnership

Evergreen is implemented in partnership with Good Natured Group and local schools, combining international expertise with deep community knowledge to deliver a program that is both evidence-based and culturally relevant.