Trees in Africa – Growth which creates a future
Our “Trees in Africa” initiative began with a simple idea: let us plant trees to benefit the environment and people. What once involved a few hundred seedlings has grown and grown in every way: a budding project with a tangible impact. In the meantime we have planted a total of around 25,000 trees in South Africa, Malawi and Zambia, and every year we start another 2500 to 3000.
But for us, it’s not just about planting: it’s about growth and progress. Our trees grow where people live and come together: in villages and at schools. They are tended to and bear fruit — literally and figuratively. The survival rate of the seedlings we plant is 80%.
PLANT A TREE – GROW WITH A TREE
We received even further inspiration from the Scouts’ large-scale planting campaign in Malawi: it involved a thousand trees and major community spirit. Its goal was for every school to have its own fruit garden. Students were to take responsibility for tending to the trees. In doing so, they learned about the environment, agriculture and sustainability. And the fruits they harvested made the food in the school canteen more nutritious and appetizing.
Scouts in Whittlesea, South Africa are also actively taking part in tree-planting campaigns at schools. Their work is critical to the long-term success of this project, because sustainable use is only possible when there is a sense of responsibility and knowledge on site. This approach is well-suited to the Umckaloabo Foundation’s philosophy. We do not leave the projects to fend for themselves: we stay with them over the long run. We make sure that our help — like the trees themselves — take root and bear fruit.