Tree Projects - Africa Transformation Initiative

Project Goal:

Set up indigenous tree nurseries with an aim to avail seedlings to communities around DOVE Africa churches for community transformation tree planting projects.

You can make a huge difference by helping to plant trees across East Africa. $1 can plant 10 trees, and $5 can plant 50 trees. When you sow the seed that plants a tree, we can all reap a better future.

Rationale:

The forest cover in most of East Africa is between 2 to 5% of total land area. Civil wars, poor eco-management, and cutting of trees for the construction and charcoal industries have ravaged the country-side, resulting in widespread deforestation. There is danger of frequent droughts as desert climate takes over. Kenya is ranked among countries most vulnerable to floods and drought caused by climate change, according to United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) report. Livelihoods are destroyed when income from agriculture, livestock, tourism and fishing declines due to weather-related disasters. The situation is so bad that locals have resorted to indiscriminate cutting of trees and clearing of vegetation for Agriculture and settlement, practices which in turn contribute to environmental degradation.

In order to ensure adequate rainfall, we will need at least 10% forest cover.  Africa Transformation Initiative wants to be at the forefront of the reforestation campaign. 

Most people in these regions practice some form of subsistence farming.  Many families have small pieces of land where they plant survival crops during the rainy season.  Because of their meager resources and lack of knowledge regarding the value of trees, they won't go out of their way to buy and plant trees on their land.  Through this initiative, churches will be equipped with both the knowledge and resources to place seedlings in the hands of farmers in their communities during specific tree planting for community transformation activities.

Training will be part of the effort, so that these communities will not only see the value of planting trees, but carry out tree planting activities to transform the environment and the community.

Strategy:

Donors can be encouraged to "Adopt a Tree Nursery" for a donation of $100. With this amount, a village church will be able to buy the needed supplies to set up a small tree nursery (this can be done on church property). The nursery will in turn supply seedlings to members and to the community at a reduced cost for planting in their own farms and homes.

Seedlings will be sold at a subsidized cost so that people will be able to afford them, but also will take ownership and responsibility for growing trees. On this basis, the nursery will be financially self-sustaining.

2013 Goals:  Establish 25 Nurseries
     5 nurseries in Ukambani region of Kenya
     5 nurseries in Uganda
     5 nurseries in Rwanda
     10 nurseries in other locations (Kisumu, Kitale, Nairobi)