Pope John Paul II Great Green Wall Forest

My name is Vivienne Harr. I am 16 years old and I want to create a forest of at least 100,000 trees to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Saint John Paul II, in a part of Africa that he really cared about – the Sahel.

I am responding to a call made by Pope John Paul II, a quarter of a century before I was born, but a call I would like to help him make again. On 10 May 1980, in the capital of Burkina Faso, Pope John Paul II cried out:  

“From here, from the middle of one of these countries we can call the countries of thirst, may I be allowed to launch to everybody, in Africa and beyond this continent, a solemn appeal not to close our eyes to what’s happening in the Sahelian region.”

In response to his cry, the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel was created. And I am working with the Foundation today, to help them grow the Great Green Wall. 

I want to begin my 7 million tree journey by first growing a forest in the name of Pope John Paul II, in recognition of his care and concern for the people of Africa’s Sahel. I want to begin by growing with your help a forest of at least 100,000 trees to be named Pope John Paul II Great Green Wall Forest. 

Each tree is US$10. Please think of it as an eternal and life-giving candle. A candle in a Church will burn for a few hours and then die. But a tree will grow and offer hope for many generations. So, your generosity, in the name of Pope John Paul II, will continue to burn brightly, for hundreds of years. 

Each tree is US$10, which includes the cost of the seedling, its planting, care, the digging of wells, community education and the care of migrants and refugees, through the John Paul II Foundation and the International Catholic Migration Commission. 

Thank you for your support and generosity.