Here are the benefits of planting trees in Malawi. This is the impact that you are making in Malawi with your contributions!
In Malawi, we are planting trees on school grounds and in turn Educating Youth about the environment to ensure a sustainable future. The ten trees that were planted in Malawi on your behalf will help to:
1) Restore the environment
Malawi’s deforestation crisis is a result of the majority of the forest having been cut down for firewood, charcoal, burning bricks, and to make room for agricultural land. Nearly 90% of the population lives in rural areas and depends on the land as a source of food, economic income, and cooking fuel. The forest cover, which once nearly blanketed the entire country, stands now at only 27.2%.
2) Stop erosion
We are working with local schools to plant along the Nathenje River, helping stabilize the riverbanks from erosion.
3) Restore water tables
Restoring water tables (underground water) will improve moisture in the soil and extend the rainy season. Previously lasting for seven months, the rainy season today lasts only three. By planting trees, the natural water cycle will be restored and groundwater will be brought to the surface by root systems.
4) Educate youth
tentree provides students with knowledge about tree planting, the environment and biodiversity, the benefits of fighting climate change, the importance of trees as a part of improving food security, as well as how to create and care for tree nurseries.
5) Provide access to nutrition
Students often arrive at school without breakfast and, therefore, are unable to concentrate. Our goal is to ensure that all students have enough to eat so that they are able to reach their full potential. Fruits, seeds, pods, leaves, oils, and other tree products can help achieve nutritional requirements.
6) Create medicine
Since there are no pharmacies with medicine readily available, the trees are used to create medicinal products used to fight illness.
7) Cooking, heating, and housing
The branches from the trees we plant are used as building materials for housing and horse carts, feed for cattle, and fuel for cooking, while older trees create canopies people often use for roofs.
8) Boost entrepreneurship
This planting project has the potential to provide an additional source of income from tree products such as wood, fruit, seeds, cattle feed, etc. If people are able to create a surplus, they will have the funds to start micro-enterprises, helping themselves improve their economic situation.
9) Fight poverty
Rural areas of Malawi are characterized by extreme poverty and trees would otherwise be unaffordable.
10) Establish a reliable partnership
Urunji Child Care Trust‘s mission is to bring innovative solutions to communities that will combat poverty, malaria, malnutrition, environmental degradation, and HIV/AIDS through education, economic empowerment, community participation, and life-skills training.
