A Thousand People Fight Deforestation

A jovial mood characterized by dancing and singing recently occurred in the village of Msoma-Malosa in Zomba district. Drawn from seven area-wide villages, 580 women, men and children gathered for the event. But one must ask what calls so many people together for a joyous event? Believe it or not, it was a tree planting exercise!

These people recognize the increasing loss of trees and more than anyone, they feel its impact. For this reason the villagers around Msomba village came together, and discussed plans of how best to fight deforestation and eliminate its impact once and for all. With the leadership of Group Village headman Minama, these villagers agreed to form a club that would constitute all villagers from the surrounding area. They would seek government help to raise tree seedlings and start a tree-planting project.

Joint Program for Success
The “Shoes for Trees” Program is a joint effort of the Malawi Project, World Emergency Relief, Malawi Forestry Department, Namikango Mission, and villagers throughout the nation. This program is based on WER obtaining truckloads of new shoes. WER and the Malawi Project get them to the Namikango Mission Warehouse. The Malawi Department of Forestry donates free of charge thousands of tree seedlings, then Tribal Authority and villagers work together to institute large scale tree planting programs. When the planting is completed those who participate receive a new pair of shoes for their labor.

Village Headman Encourages Support
During the tree-planting program Village Headman Msoma thanked contributors through the Namikango Mission for giving them the incentive that would encourage the program. He hoped this would motivate others to join the club, and increase the tree-planting program. Trees such as Mahogany tree, Acacia tree, Blue gum, and a number of trees indigenous to this part of the world.

In neighboring Machinga District, in the southwestern part of the nation, 500 people came together for a tree planting exercise under Group Village headman Masi. People participated from eight villages and planted 8,000 trees during this season alone. During one day alone this group planted 338 trees on the hillside near Machinga District headquarters.

“Shoes for Trees” is an extremely successful program, and can be enlarged many times over, if sufficient funds are made available. You can help Malawi villagers plant trees for their future, and in turn benefit the environment for all of us. Send checks to: The Malawi Project, 605 Winding Brook Drive, Noblesville, IN 46060 U.S.A. or, you can donate online, at www.malawiproject.org/donate.