Queen Lily launches kids gardening initiative to inspire young minds

15 August 2025, 11:17 am

By Byamukama Alozious

In an effort to promote environmental sustainability and healthy living in Uganda, Queen Lily Qiana Quinnz, one of the queens in Little Miss Uganda, has launched her “Kids Gardening Global Initiative” at Stoneridge School in Kira Municipality. The initiative focuses on organic food, waste recycling, and green environments, and is supported by a children’s book written by Queen Lily herself to inspire young minds.

The book, designed for children, uses simple language and engaging illustrations to teach them about gardening and environmental conservation. According to Queen Lily, gardening is not just about growing food but about caring for the planet and embracing sustainable living practices.

“Gardening means taking care of plants, just like you would care for a pet or friend,” she explained. “You plant a tiny seed, give it water, sunshine, and love — and watch it grow into something amazing!”

Her mother, Awebwa Peace, who has witnessed the impact of gardening on her child, shared a heartwarming story. “When my little girl, Lily, saw a tomato in the garden for the first time, she came screaming, ‘Mummy, come and see! There’s a tomato in the garden!’ It was really funny. And I knew right then that this initiative was exactly what our children needed.”

She stressed the importance of raising children to value organic farming and healthy eating habits from an early age. “If you start teaching kids from an early age to understand organic farming and to choose their food properly, this will safeguard the future,” Mrs Peace emphasised.

Queen Lily added, “I want children to understand that food doesn’t come from the fridge or the supermarket. I want them to know it comes from the garden.”

Florence Lusiba, Marketing Manager of Gustro Books for Kids, praised Queen Lily Qiana Quinn’s initiative, saying: “This also shows that Stoneridge is a school that has prepared her well. This is the type of education we want for our young children. We don’t want education to be just about theory; we want an education where children can be creative and produce their own work.”

The Head Teacher of Stoneridge School, Julius Okamya, emphasised the importance of developing children beyond academics. “We are looking at developing a child academically to excel, but beyond that, we are also focused on equipping the child with talent. The world out there is not all about academics; it is about so much more.”

Queen Lily Qiana Quinn’s mother also shared her daughter’s passion for gardening and environmental conservation. “During Covid, she was already gardening with her friends. And I was like, ‘Wow, this is awesome.’ Some kids don’t even know where food comes from.”

The “Kids Gardening Global Initiative” aims to transform families and communities by teaching children about responsibility, health, and environmental conservation. With its launch, Queen Lily Qiana Quinn hopes to inspire a new generation of leaders committed to promoting sustainable living practices and caring for the planet.