Empowering Future Change Agents: Tree Planting Initiative

In a dynamic collaboration with Uganda’s National Forestry Authority (NFA), Asante Africa Foundation launched a tree-planting initiative focused on environmental education in primary schools. The NFA, committed to sustainably managing Uganda’s central forest reserves and offering high-quality forestry products and services, generously donated 100 fruit trees—40 oranges, 35 mangoes, and 25 avocados—to support this mission. These trees have since been planted in seven primary schools across the Kyenjojo district as part of the Wezesha Vijana program, engaging a total of 3,719 pupils, including 1,906 girls and 1,813 boys.

The initiative not only beautifies school grounds but also empowers students with environmental responsibility. In each school, classes were assigned one to three trees to care for under the guidance of their classroom monitors and class teachers. This structure encourages pupils to take ownership of their trees, fostering a deeper sense of duty and engagement with the environment.

Ronnet, the gender programs coordinator at Asante Africa and a passionate leader of the initiative, highlights the significant impact of involving children in environmental awareness. Teaching children about conservation practices empowers them to make eco-friendly choices at home, while also influencing their families and communities. This early education helps them adopt sustainable habits that will last a lifetime, preparing them to be the future leaders and policymakers dedicated to environmental stewardship.

This project has done more than add greenery to school grounds; it has instilled in these young students a tangible sense of responsibility and a profound connection to nature. As they watch the trees grow, they are reminded of their role as stewards of the earth. Through this initiative, we are empowering a generation of future change agents committed to a healthier, greener Uganda—and beyond.