YLP Graduates Initiate a Tree Planting Project in Tanzania
After successfully completing Asante Africa’s Youth Livelihood Program, Bakari, Iddrisa, and Hamisi, were not only equipped with entrepreneurial and leadership skills, but they also seized the opportunity to implement the “pay-forward” initiative by mentoring January, a friend living in a neighboring village. January learned all about adopting innovative strategies such as; leadership skills, financial literacy, teamwork, problem solving, and entrepreneurship for economic growth.
He immediately identified a major problem in his community – the gradual extinction of trees. Fuelled by his new-found insight, he embarked on a tree planting project with the goal of educating his community on the hazards of deforestation, combating deforestation, improving climate conditions, and preserving the community.
Despite all his promising intentions, the financial burden of the project made this idea nothing more than just a dream. He rolled his sleeves and began to seek assistance. Fortunately, he received partnership and financial support from the CRDB and NMB banks worth 180,000 Tanzanian Shillings. He also received donations worth 120,000 Shillings from the Rotary, Samecow, and Empower Tanzania non-governmental organizations, and 100,000 Tanzanian Shillings from two community members who are equally passionate about tree planting. The donations summed to a total of 400,000 Tanzanian Shillings. Additionally, the district council donated a vehicle to convey fertilizers, soil, and tree seedlings.
With finances at hand, 7,000 shade and fruit tree seedlings were purchased.
Even with most logistics handled, inadequate cans, seedlings and water scarcity, threatened the project. January remained undeterred. He felt he had come too far to give up.
January proceeded to visit and educate the students in Minyala, Mbono, and Vumari primary schools, all within the same district. He focused on addressing the relevance of tree planting to climate change. Following the educational tour, January, alongside the collaborative efforts of the community, planted more than 120 trees.
The tree planting project did not stop at planting trees – it was extended by distributing 11 species of shade and fruit tree seedlings to 837 villagers in Vumari Ward, Msaharabwe, Dido, and Kwamongo community.
In total, more than 7,000 trees have been planted. The students and the community have a deeper understanding of the role they can play in combating climate change in their community.