A non-governmental Organization (NGO) dubbed Green World has kicked off a project to plant 200, 000 tree seedlings in schools in Homa Bay County.
The organization Secretary General Isaac Otieno said the initiative was aimed at boosting the County’s forest cover from the current 2.6 per cent.
He said Green World was undertaking the activity in selected 200 public primary and secondary schools in the county with each school getting 1000 seedlings.
Otieno spoke yesterday at Ojwando primary school in Rachuonyo South Sub-county during the launch of the tree planting exercise.
He said the project also targeted at diversifying sources of income for schools.
“In about five years, the eucalyptus trees will be harvested and sold. This is a good source of income,” Otieno said.
He said the trees will also help improve environment not only in the schools but in villages too adding: “Trees help to clean carbon dioxide from the air and this enables us to breathe clean air. The process reduces carbon emission into the atmosphere.”
Ojwando Primary School Deputy head teacher Willis Odhiambo said the project was aligned to implementation of Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) which requires practical activities.
“CBC requires practical activities. Whenever we teach pupils about benefit of trees with regards to environment conservation, we refer to this project. This enhances their understanding,” Odhiambo said.
He said the project will help combat adverse effects of climate change besides addressing erratic rainfall patterns.
“Planting trees in our schools will boost the amount of rainfall in this county and that will be a reason for farmers who grow various food crops to smile,” said Odhiambo.
By Davis Langat
