Teaching kids to be guardians of the Earth
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – A local SDSU doctorate graduate and non-profit leader is now adding 'author' to her list of achievements.
We first introduced you to Augustina Osabutey in 2021 when she was working towards her doctorate in agricultural biosystems and mechanical engineering at SDSU. At that time, she was also leading a non-profit back in her home country of Ghana.
'I'm the founder of Teen Leadership and Entrepreneur Development Foundation, we call it Teen Lead Foundation and our objective is to mentor and coach teenagers to achieve their career goals,' Osabutey said in 2021.
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Today, Osabutey is living in Sioux Falls and has expanded the non-profit to help teens in the United States as well.
'Here in the US, we are focusing more on environmental sustainability — teaching children about the importance of clean water, the importance of soil health, the importance of a clean earth. Teaching them to good stewards of the environment,' Osabutey said.
She's now also incorporating that lesson into her new children's book series called 'Little Guardians.'
'My first book, 'Nana's Magic Waterfall,' teaches children about the importance of clean water, environmental sustainability, problem solving and teamwork,' Osabutey said.
The second book in the series focuses on soil health and a third book is still in the works. Osabutey hopes the 'Little Guardians' can reach kids all around the world.
'We need to teach our children to care for the environment; to care for nature,' Osabutey said. 'It belongs to them. It belongs to all of us.'
Osabutey is hosting a launch party for her book series on June 21st in Sioux Falls. The launch will include a special red carpet walk for children and interactive experiments. They also hope to give out gift bags containing a clean water or soil health science tool kit. However, Osabutey says they need donations to help make that happen. Anyone interested can contact her at aosabutey@teenleadfoundation.org.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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