Empowering Students Through Tree Planting Sponsorship.
A recent initiative in Elgeyo Marakwet has led to the sponsorship of forty students through a tree-planting program aimed at secondary school students. Kaptagat Girls Secondary School, located near Kaptagat forest, has established a tree nursery that produces around 10,000 tree seedlings annually. The proceeds from these seedlings are used to sponsor needy students at the school.
The school’s partnership with Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), Global Peace, Chandaria Foundation, Standard Group Plc, and the Ministry of Health has been instrumental in driving this initiative. Recently, a tree planting drive was organized, further strengthening the commitment to environmental conservation and education.
Florence Natembeya, the school’s principal, expressed gratitude for the sponsorship opportunities created by the climate mitigation initiative. She emphasized that this support would enable students facing financial challenges to stay in school and complete their studies. Additionally, the initiative contributes to environmental sustainability by increasing forest cover and mitigating climate change effects.
Tree Adoption and Future Goals
Each sponsored student will actively participate in tree adoption and nurturing, fostering a sense of responsibility towards environmental conservation. Therefore, the school has set ambitious targets of producing 10,000 seedlings annually and planting 52,000 trees within and outside the institution over the next three years.
Ahmed Dagane, CEO of KUTRRH, commended the initiative for promoting a culture of tree planting among students, emphasizing the interconnectedness of trees with our food chain. The partnership plans to plant 51,000 trees in Kipkabus forest, contributing significantly to regional environmental sustainability.
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Olive Mugenda, KUTRRH board chair, highlighted the alignment of this initiative with the government’s 15 billion trees initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Health. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of involving children in climate change mitigation efforts and providing them with practical skills in tree nursery establishment and tree nurturing.
Expanding Impact and Youth Involvement
The project’s extension to other schools like Nabkoi and Kapkenda Girls High Schools demonstrates the scalability and potential impact of such initiatives. In addition, Japheth Ouda, Global Peace Manager, emphasized the critical role of young people in climate change mitigation and the potential for creating employment opportunities through innovative approaches in seedling production.
In conclusion, the tree planting sponsorship initiative not only supports education but also instills environmental stewardship among students, paving the way for a more sustainable future. Collaborative efforts between educational institutions, healthcare providers, NGOs, and government bodies showcase the power of partnerships in addressing complex challenges like climate change and education accessibility.
Empowering Students Through Tree Planting Sponsorship.