Andrew
Society Correspondent
FRIENDS of the Environment (FOTE) has identified schools as being among the most critical stakeholders in pushing the climate change agenda and transforming the livelihoods of surrounding communities, as well as giving them a new lease of life.
FOTE chairperson Tendayi Gwatiringa revealed that his organisation had found joy working with schools over the past decade for both tree seedling production and planting.
He made the remarks while distributing tree seedlings to more than 80 schools, whose representatives gathered for the National Tree Planting Day in Bikita, Masvingo.
All the schools that benefited were represented during the Tree Planting Day and nursery commissioning ceremony.
The event was presided over by Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira.
It coincided with the conclusion of FOTE’s 13th edition of the 500 million tree annual walkathon.
FOTE’s environmental campaign this year had walkers enduring the journey from Gokomere through the Masvingo central business district to Nyika growth point, with a special mission to increase schools’ involvement in the country’s regreening efforts.
“The 105km journey — leading to the National Tree Planting Day, December 3, and tree seedling nursery commissioning at Gwindingwi High School in Bikita District – shows our confidence in working with schools for tree propagation, planting and survival using their already existing structures.”
Mr Godfrey Muzinda, the headmaster of Gwindingwi High School, which hosts the tree seedling nursery, said the project had turned the educational institution into an oasis and agricultural projects hub in the dry region of Masvingo.
“The nursery — whose thrust started off as a production centre of tree seedlings to feed the district and province and for national tree-planting – has evolved into a training hub. It has widened its production scope to include fisheries and horticulture,” the headmaster said.
“The Gwindingwi nursery is now supplying horticulture products that include cabbages, leaf vegetables, onions, green mealies and many more to Nyika growth point to increase revenue streams.
“The development has made the school an oasis in a usually very dry region and, at the same time, enhancing community resilience and coping mechanisms to climate change.”
He added: “We are taking advantage of our proximity to Nyika growth point to market all our produce throughout the year. Our fresh produce has become popular such that we are now failing to meet the demand.”
Mr Muzinda said the project had awakened the school to its potential in all areas of operation.
“As a school, we have managed to retain our staff and, at the same time, attract highly qualified and experienced personnel.
“This has seen our academic results improve over the past six years when we started the tree seedling project.
“We are now empowering our students with lifetime skills through practical lessons, which makes them more adaptive in the real world,” he added.
Headmasters of surrounding schools appreciated the projects, as they received 10 trees each from the Gwindingwi nursery.
Mr Gwatiringa said the trees that were given out to the schools would be used by the institutions to establish their
own orchards, woodlots and even plantations.
Since its inception, FOTE has held 13 walkathons and established 35 tree seedling nurseries. In the process, it planted over 38 million trees through synergies with other institutions, including schools, churches and communities.
“FOTE has held 13 walkathons (2010-2021) covering 2 230km. They were successfully executed and we are grateful for the unwavering support of sponsors, schools and the communities,” Mr Gwatiringa said.
“Walkathons are an integral activity that has significantly raised awareness on the importance of tree planting and the conservation of forests to mitigate global warming and climate change.”
FOTE recognises that schools in Zimbabwe are owned by the Government, councils, missionary churches and African independent churches, as well as private companies, and would be reaching out to them to consolidate the regreening initiative.
Online Reporter