Chronicle EditorSunday News Reporter
SCHOOLS that turned up for the Zimpapers Junior Media Club launch in Bulawayo at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) on Friday received trees for planting at their respective schools.
A total of 100 trees were distributed among 16 schools that turned up and officials. Zimpapers public relations manager Pauline Matanda said the organisation entered into a partnership with Forest Lovers under the “Every Child a Tree Campaign” to provide Zimpapers with trees which will be donated to various stakeholders to take care of the environment and mitigate the effects of climate change.
“We have married this campaign – Every Child a Tree Campaign – with Zimpapers Junior Media Club where we will be donating trees to school children to plant in their different schools or areas,” she said.
Founder of Every Child A Tree (ECAT) campaign, Mr Bob Riyete Mavende, who is also the founder and Executive Officer of Forest Lovers, is on record as saying people should co-operate in planting more trees as they play a crucial role in fighting climate change, cleaning the air, storing carbon and producing oxygen.
“We hope as many people as possible will follow our example and get involved with similar schemes. A trillion trees planted in the coming years could significantly reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, potentially by up to 25 percent,” he said.
Mr Mavende said educating children about the environment has long-lasting effects as they are well placed to make a difference.
“If we give every child this opportunity it will make a difference but more importantly it makes a difference in the way they think”.
The country’s largest integrated media house – Zimpapers – has initiated the Junior Media Club to give coaching and mentorship to secondary school pupils in the field of journalism.
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