A religious-based organisation in Busia has urged religious leaders and environmentalists to engage children while on holiday in tree-planting initiatives in line with the government’s plan of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
Compassion International, which has partnered with 16 churches in Busia, has challenged parents and guardians to mark various anniversaries of their young ones by planting trees.
This will give the children a lasting memory as well as a feeling for the environment they admire to see in the future.
Speaking at Bunyala forest during the family day for the organisation that supports over 5000 children in Busia, Compassion International director in Busia Eli Chengo noted that through children, the society will be well placed in environment conservation dialogue.
Chengo added that children have the best memory and given a chance they are the best implementers of any policy by an organisation or family.
“The impact of the training we have started will see children becoming environmentalists on their own since they will know the importance of conserving the environment.”
His sentiments were echoed by Bunyala Forest Conservator Wilson Barasa who said the best way to teach children about the environment is by assigning them to care for trees, documenting growth progress and encouraging them to motivate each other to plant more trees.
“The best way to teach children on the environment is by training them on how to take care of the trees they plant and encourage them to document the journey of the trees growing as they themselves grow and graduate from one class to the next,” noted Barasa.
The exercise saw over 5000 trees planted by children who thereafter showcased various talents in a colourful event during the festive season.
“It’s difficult for parents to cut down a tree his/her child planted and is documented. This will go a long way in helping in environmental conservation,” he added.
Mr Chengo further called on religious leaders to be at the forefront of the fight against drug and substance abuse.
He emphasised that religious organisations cannot remain silent regarding the activities of drug barons, who are causing harm to the youth by promoting drug addiction.
“Every institution must have a religious mentor to guide the children on religious nourishment to help mitigate effect of drug abuse among school-going children,” the director added.
By Absalom Namwalo
