Zahana will award 4 prizes for the most trees planted that survived in the first year of our reforestation project we launched in 2011. One woman and one man in each of our two villages will be chosen by the community and Zahana (with a visual inspection of the trees) in December 2012. This prize will be awarded to a man in Fiadanana who planted the most threes in and around her village.
Planting a tree is the first step. Making sure it takes root, watering it and protecting it from roaming cattle is what transforms the seedling into a future tree to shade the village of Fiarenana.
In each of the two villages, one woman and one man will be receiving and award in the first, second and third year of the tree-planting project. Currently only the schools have solar cookers. Awarding a solar cooker to him makes it something special that can be used with pride. Successful tree planters will be able to save firewood on sunny days, further reinforcing the environmental success of their reforestation efforts in a tangible way.
Reforestation is, after access to clean water, vital for environmental and community health. One tree at a time, planting trees looks ahead to the future and actively improves quality of life, having the grandchildren's well being in mind. This project is designed for the long haul and will grow steadily like our new trees.